稀

まれ · mare · JLPT N2 · na-adj

rare

🐴 Sounds like English mare: a rare mare is seldom seen

稀 pairs 禾 (grain) with 希, and thin, sparse crops were uncommon. まれ sounds like mare, a female horse, and a rare mare is seldom found.

稀 — grain 禾 + rare/scattered 希
A phono-semantic compound: 禾 (grain) gives the meaning, while 希 (rare, scattered) supplies the sound and reinforces the sense. Originally described thinly scattered grain in a field, then extended generally to mean 'sparse,' 'thin,' or 'rare.'

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