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Using 稀少 (xīshǎo) to express "sparse" or "rare"
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Structure
Noun + 稀少
Explanation
The adjective 稀少 (xīshǎo) means "sparse," "scarce," or "rare" and describes something that exists in very small quantities or numbers. It is often used to describe population density, as in 人口稀少 (sparsely populated), or rare resources and species. It typically appears after the noun it modifies as a predicate adjective.
Examples
这片沙漠里人口非常稀少。
Zhè piàn shāmò lǐ rénkǒu fēicháng xīshǎo.
The population in this desert is very sparse.
由于过度捕猎，这种动物已经变得十分稀少。
Yóuyú guòdù bǔliè, zhè zhǒng dòngwù yǐjīng biàn de shífēn xīshǎo.
Due to overhunting, this animal has become extremely rare.
山顶上空气稀少，很多人会感到不舒服。
Shāndǐng shàng kōngqì xīshǎo, hěn duō rén huì gǎndào bù shūfu.
The air is thin at the mountaintop, and many people feel uncomfortable.