Meaning
罕用 describes something that is infrequently or rarely employed. It combines 罕 (rare, scarce) with 用 (to use), creating a term commonly applied to words, phrases, methods, or items that see little practical application in daily life or modern contexts.
Usage
This term appears most often in formal or written contexts, such as academic writing, dictionaries, or technical documentation. Native speakers use it to describe archaic vocabulary, obsolete tools, or uncommon techniques. It's more literary than colloquial; in everyday conversation, people might simply say 很少用 (hěn shǎo yòng) instead.
Examples
- 01这个词在现代汉语中已经是罕用词了。.This word has already become a rarely used word in modern Chinese.
- 02这种罕用的技术只有少数专家掌握。.This rarely used technique is mastered by only a few experts.
Characters
Common collocations
- 罕用词rarely used word
- 罕用字rarely used character
Antonyms
Origin
罕 originally depicted a bird net in ancient Chinese, symbolizing something rare or hard to catch. Combined with 用, the compound naturally conveys the meaning of something rarely employed.