Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Rare, scarce, infrequent: Describes something that occurs very seldom, is uncommon, or is found in very limited quantities. This is the most common and general meaning.
   • Childless, having very few children: A specific, traditional usage describing a person, couple, or family with no children or a very small number of offspring.

Usage Examples

• Adjective (Rare/Scarce):
  • Đó là một cơ hội hiếm hoi. (That is a rare opportunity.)
  • Mưa rất hiếm hoi ở vùng này. (Rain is very scarce in this region.)
• Adjective (Childless):
  • Ngày xưa, những cặp vợ chồng hiếm hoi thường bị dư luận xì xào. (In the past, childless couples were often the subject of gossip.)

Advanced Usage

• The term can carry an emotional nuance of preciousness or lament due to scarcity.
  • Sự đồng cảm hiếm hoi ấy khiến tôi rất cảm kích. (That rare empathy made me very appreciative.)
• In its traditional sense regarding children, it is now considered somewhat dated and potentially insensitive in modern contexts.

Variants and Related Words

• Hiếm (adj): The root word meaning "rare" or "scarce." "Hiếm hoi" is an intensified form.
  • Loài động vật này ngày càng hiếm. (This animal species is becoming increasingly rare.)

Synonyms

• Rare: Not common or frequent.
• Scarce: Insufficient to meet demand.
• Infrequent: Not occurring often.
• Childless: Having no children.

Related Idioms

• Của hiếm: A rare/valuable thing.
  • Nhân tài như anh ấy quả là của hiếm. (A talent like him is truly a rare find.)
• Hiếm muộn: A formal term for infertility or delayed childbearing.
  • Họ đi khám vì vấn đề hiếm muộn. (They went for a check-up due to infertility issues.)

1. Childness, having few children, sub-fertile