‘希有’ (xī yǒu) is an adjective meaning 'rare' or 'uncommon', often implying something exceptionally scarce or seldom seen—especially in natural, cultural, or historical contexts. The character 希 (xī) means 'rare', 'scarce', or 'to hope for', while 有 (yǒu) means 'to have' or 'to exist'. Together, they literally suggest 'so rare as to be barely existent', conveying a sense of extraordinary scarcity rather than mere infrequency.

This term carries a slightly literary or formal tone and appears frequently in descriptions of endangered wildlife (e.g., giant pandas, snow leopards), ancient artifacts, or unique natural phenomena. It’s commonly used in conservation discourse, news reports, and nature documentaries. Unlike the more neutral 稀少 (xīshǎo), 希有 emphasizes awe or significance—the rarity itself feels noteworthy or even precious.