B2 adjective Formal

희소하다

[hui-so-ha-da]

To be very rare or scarce, meaning the supply is much less than the demand. It is a fundamental concept in economics regarding resource allocation.

Examples

3 of 5
1

이 우표는 매우 희소한 가치를 가지고 있다.

This stamp has a very rare value.

2

희소한 자원을 둘러싼 국가 간의 경쟁이 치열하다.

Competition between nations over scarce resources is fierce.

3

그런 기회는 진짜 희소해.

Opportunities like that are really rare.

Word Family

Noun
희소성
Adjective
희소하다
💡

Memory Tip

Hee-so (Rare) - Imagine someone saying 'Hee!' (gasp) because they saw something so rare.

Quick Quiz

다이아몬드는 그 양이 ___기 때문에 비싼 가격에 거래된다.

Correct!

The correct answer is: 희소하

Examples

1

이 우표는 매우 희소한 가치를 가지고 있다.

everyday

This stamp has a very rare value.

2

희소한 자원을 둘러싼 국가 간의 경쟁이 치열하다.

formal

Competition between nations over scarce resources is fierce.

3

그런 기회는 진짜 희소해.

informal

Opportunities like that are really rare.

4

경제학은 희소한 자원을 어떻게 배분할 것인가를 연구한다.

academic

Economics studies how to allocate scarce resources.

5

희소성이 높은 제품일수록 가격이 비싸다.

business

The higher the scarcity of a product, the more expensive it is.

Word Family

Noun
희소성
Adjective
희소하다

Common Collocations

희소한 자원 scarce resources
희소한 기회 rare opportunity
가치가 희소하다 value is rare
희소성이 있다 to have scarcity
매우 희소하다 to be very rare

Common Phrases

희소성의 원칙

principle of scarcity

희소 가치

scarcity value

희소 생물

rare organism

Often Confused With

희소하다 vs 부족하다

부족하다 means simply 'not enough', while 희소하다 implies a systemic rarity or high value due to lack of supply.

📝

Usage Notes

Most commonly used in academic and economic contexts. In daily life, '드물다' is more common.

⚠️

Common Mistakes

Learners often use '적다' (few/small) for everything, but '희소하다' is the correct term for academic scarcity.

💡

Memory Tip

Hee-so (Rare) - Imagine someone saying 'Hee!' (gasp) because they saw something so rare.

📖

Word Origin

From Hanja 稀少 (rare and small).

Grammar Patterns

~이/가 희소하다 희소한 ~

Quick Quiz

다이아몬드는 그 양이 ___기 때문에 비싼 가격에 거래된다.

Correct!

The correct answer is: 희소하

More economics words

동반하다

B2

To accompany or go along with something, often used when one phenomenon causes or occurs simultaneously with another. In academic contexts, it refers to consequences or parallel trends.

재분배

B2

The distribution of something (especially wealth or land) in a different way, typically to achieve greater equality within a society.

빈부 격차

B2

The gap or inequality between the rich and the poor, typically referring to the uneven distribution of wealth and income in a society.

산정하다

B1

To calculate or estimate a numerical value, such as a price, amount, or rate, based on certain criteria.

유인책

B2

A measure or incentive designed to encourage someone to do something or to attract people to a specific place or activity.

유동성

B2

The ease with which assets can be converted into cash, or the quality of being fluid and changeable. In a broader sense, it refers to a lack of fixed structure or stability.

둔화되다

B2

To slow down or become less active. It is often used to describe economic growth, speed, or the rate of progress decreasing.

능가하다

B2

To exceed or surpass a certain level, amount, or ability. It is often used to compare achievements or statistics in academic contexts.

민영화

B2

The transfer of ownership, property, or business from the government to the private sector. It is often done to increase efficiency and competition.

희소성

B2

The state of being rare or in short supply. It is a fundamental concept in economics where human wants exceed limited resources.

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