稀 xī rare
rare; unusual; scarce; sparse; diluted; thin
How to remember 稀: 禾 grain + 希 wish = rare. The kid finds one purple ear in a field of golden grain, makes a wish on it, and shouts "Grandpa, this one is rare!"
Component breakdown
形声 · Meaning + sound
One part gives the meaning, the other gives the sound.
稀 = 禾 grain + 希 wish
- 禾 grain meaning
- 希 wish meaning + sound
- 㐅 cross mark
- 布 cotton
The kid finds one purple ear in a field of golden grain, makes a wish on it, and shouts "Grandpa, this one is rare!"
How it came to be
Grain gives the meaning, and the sign for sparse gives the sound and adds to the meaning.
How it is used
- Sparse/rare, and watery/thin: 稀少 (xīshǎo) scarce, 稀有 (xīyǒu) rare (稀有金属 rare metals), 稀奇 (xīqí) / 稀罕 (xīhan) rare and curious.
- Also thin/dilute: 稀饭 (xīfàn) rice porridge, 稀泥 (xīní) mud; 稀里糊涂 (xīlihútú) means muddled/in a daze.