'少见' literally combines 'shǎo' (few, little) and 'jiàn' (to see), meaning 'rarely seen' or 'uncommon'. It functions primarily as an adjective describing something that occurs infrequently or appears seldom in a given context. While it can describe abstract concepts like rare events or unusual behaviors, it’s especially common when referring to uncommon animals, plants, or natural phenomena — for example, a bird species rarely spotted in urban areas.

The term carries a neutral-to-positive connotation; it often implies novelty or special interest rather than negativity. Unlike the verb phrase '少见多怪' (to be easily amazed by the unfamiliar), '少见' itself is not idiomatic but straightforward and descriptive. It frequently appears in scientific writing, nature documentaries, and news reports about wildlife sightings — e.g., '这种蝴蝶在华北地区十分少见' ('This butterfly is extremely rare in North China').