Seldom Meaning in English
word
/ˈsɛɫdəm/
SEL-duhm
/sˈɛldəm/
SEL-duhm
Definition
Used to say that something happens very rarely or almost never.
Usage & Nuances
Formal or literary; more common in writing than in everyday speech. Used before the main verb ('seldom goes'), rarely with 'be' verbs. Synonyms: 'rarely', 'hardly ever'. Common phrase: 'Seldom if ever'. Avoid confusing with 'sometimes' (which means more often).
Spanish: rara vez - pocas vecesPortuguese (BR): raramente - poucas vezesPortuguese (PT): raramente - poucas vezesChinese (Simplified): 很少 - 不常Chinese (Traditional): 很少 - 不常Hindi: शायद ही कभी - बहुत कमArabic: نادراً ماBengali: বিরলভাবে - কদাচিৎRussian: редкоJapanese: めったにVietnamese: hiếm khiKorean: 좀처럼 - 드물게Turkish: nadirenUrdu: شاذ و نادر - بہت کمIndonesian: jarang
Example Sentences
He seldom eats breakfast.
basic
We seldom go to the cinema.
basic
It seldom rains here in summer.
basic
I seldom see my old friends these days.
natural
You seldom hear people talk about that topic anymore.
natural
Seldom do I get a chance to travel these days.
natural