Translation and Meaning of: 珍しい - mezurashii

The Japanese word 「珍しい」 (mezurashii) is an adjective used to describe something rare, uncommon, or extraordinary. This word is composed of the characters 「珍」, which means 'rare' or 'curious', and 「しい」, an adjectival suffix. The radical 「玉」 in the kanji 「珍」 represents 'something precious or valuable', adding the nuance of something valuable due to its rarity. This construction reflects the perception of value that rarity can bring in various cultures, including Japanese.

The use of the term 「珍しい」 encompasses a wide range of contexts. For example, it can refer to rare natural phenomena, unique objects, or unusual experiences. It is a term that emphasizes the element of surprise or singularity of a situation or object. In Japanese society, where uniformity is often valued, something described as 「珍しい」 can be seen as especially remarkable or intriguing.

Historically, the use of the term intensified with Japan's more regular and intense contact with other cultures. With the introduction of new ideas and technologies from the late Edo period, what was common elsewhere became 「珍しい」 in the Japanese context. In this way, the word not only describes rarity but also incorporates an element of discovery and admiration. This makes 「珍しい」 an expression connected to both curiosity and reverence for the new and the unknown.

Moreover, 「珍しい」 can be found in a variety of idiomatic expressions and phrases in the Japanese language. The word frequently appears in poetic and literary contexts, adding layers of meaning to the discourse. Its presence in such contexts reflects how the Japanese language values rare beauty and uniqueness in art and everyday life, capturing the essence of the word in various forms of cultural expression.

Vocabulary

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Synonyms and similar words

• 珍しい (mezurashii) - Rare, uncommon; usually used to describe something notable or extraordinary.
• 希少な (kishō na) - Extremely rare, scarce; emphasizes the difficulty of finding.
• 稀有な (keu na) - Rare and unique; used to describe something exceptionally rare.

珍しい

Romaji: mezurashii
Kana: めずらしい
Type: Adjective
L: jlpt-n4

Translation / Meaning: unusual; rare

Meaning in English: unusual;rare

Definition: It's not common. It has unusual features.

Example Sentences - (珍しい) mezurashii

See below some example sentences:

この芸術作品の形態は非常に珍しいです。

Kono geijutsu sakuhin no keitai wa hijō ni mezurashii desu

A forma desta obra de arte é muito incomum.

A forma desta obra de arte é muito rara.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this"
• 芸術作品 - substantivo composto que significa "obra de arte"
• の - Particle indicating possession or relationship
• 形態 - substantivo que significa "forma" ou "configuração"
• は - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 非常に - adverb meaning "very" or "extremely"
• 珍しい - adjetivo que significa "raro" ou "incomum"
• です - verb "to be" in the polite form

珍しいものが好きです。

Chinashii mono ga suki desu

I like rare things.

I like something unusual.

• 珍しい - Rare, uncommon
• もの - Coisa
• が - Subject particle
• 好き - Like
• です - sentence-final particle