adjective HSK 4
sparse · thin · watery · rare
Meaning
稀 describes something that is spread out, not dense, or diluted. It commonly refers to liquids that are thin or watery, populations that are sparse, or things that are rare or uncommon. The character originally depicted rice grains spread apart, conveying the sense of sparseness.
Usage
稀 is frequently used to describe the consistency of liquids (especially porridge or soup), the density of crowds or vegetation, or the rarity of events. It often appears in compound words and is commonly paired with 少 (few) as 稀少. Native speakers use it in both formal and informal contexts.
Examples
- 01这个粥太稀了，再煮一会儿吧。, .This porridge is too watery; let's cook it a bit longer.
- 02这里人口很稀，只有几户人家。, .The population here is very sparse; there are only a few households.
Common collocations
- 稀饭rice porridge, congee
- 稀少scarce, rare
- 稀有rare
- 稀奇rare, unusual
Antonyms
Origin
The character 稀 combines the rice radical 禾 with 希 (rare, hope), suggesting rice grains that are scattered or sparse rather than densely packed.