Definition

Adjective: * Rare, extremely uncommon, seldom occurring: Describes an event, situation, or phenomenon that happens very infrequently or is exceptionally unusual.

Usage

• The word hy hữu is used as an adjective to modify nouns, indicating their rarity or exceptional nature. It is a formal and literary term.
• It is often used in written language, journalism, or formal speech to describe extraordinary cases.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Đây là một trường hợp hy hữu trong lịch sử y học. (This is a rare case in medical history.)
  • Tai nạn hy hữu đó khiến mọi người đều bàng hoàng. (That extremely uncommon accident left everyone in shock.)
  • Khả năng xảy ra sự kiện này là vô cùng hy hữu. (The probability of this event occurring is extremely rare.)

Advanced Usage

• "hiếm có khó tìm": A common four-word idiom meaning "rare and hard to find," which can be used in a similar context to emphasize rarity, though it is less formal than hy hữu.
  • Nhân tài như anh ấy thật sự là hiếm có khó tìm. (A talent like him is truly rare and hard to find.)

Variants and Related Words

• Hi hữu: This is a variant spelling and is considered completely synonymous with hy hữu. Both forms are correct and used interchangeably.
  • một sự kiện hi hữu (a rare event)

Synonyms

• Hiếm: (adj) Rare, scarce. (Less formal and literary than hy hữu).
• Ít khi xảy ra: (phrase) Seldom happens.
• Độc nhất vô nhị: (idiom) Unique, one of a kind. (Emphasizes uniqueness rather than just statistical rarity).

Antonyms

• Thường xuyên: (adj) Frequent.
• Phổ biến: (adj) Common, widespread.
• Bình thường: (adj) Normal, ordinary.

noun

1. rare; seldom