hei1 jau5稀有
Jyutpinghei1 jau5
Yalehēi yáuh
Definition
Rare and precious; extremely scarce.
neutraldescriptions
How it's used
Focuses on scarcity combined with high value or uniqueness, often used in scientific or formal contexts like biology or geology. While it can describe everyday objects, it sounds slightly more elevated than simply saying 罕見 or 少見. It carries a sense of prestige, implying that the rarity makes the item worth noticing or protecting.
Examples
This type of flower is very rare; it is hard to find outside.
Have you ever seen such a rare gemstone?
Related words
Common mistake
Avoid using this to describe common things that are just temporarily out of stock. It is reserved for things that are naturally or inherently scarce, not just hard to find at a specific shop.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
