Chemistry term referring to a group of 17 metallic elements (scandium, yttrium, and the lanthanides). Often used in compounds like 希土類元素 (rare earth element) or 希土類磁石 (rare earth magnet).
Rare earths are essential for high-tech products.
Rare earths are used in this magnet.
Common loanword synonym for 'rare earth', often used in industrial and economic contexts. 希土類 is the native Sino-Japanese term more common in scientific literature.
rare-earth element; rare-earth metal
Standard kanji spelling for 'rare earth' in chemistry contexts.
Alternate kanji spelling using 稀 (rare); less common than 希土類.
Sino-Japanese compound: 希 (rare) + 土 (earth) + 類 (group/class). The spelling 稀土類 uses the older character 稀 (rare).