Grammar Info

N3 Lesson 7: 15/21

滅多(めった)に〜ないHardly, Rarely, Seldom

Structure

めったに + Verb［ない］
Noun + は + めったにない

Details

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About めったに〜ない

めったに～ない is an expression that may be translated as 'hardly', 'seldom', or 'rarely'. Originally, 滅多(めった) is a な-Adjective that means 'thoughtless', or 'reckless'. Due to this, as an adverb, 滅多(めった)に literally means 'thoughtlessly' or 'recklessly'.

めったに～ない will usually be paired with a verb in the negative form, or following a noun, and the adverbial particle は.

Caution

It is far more common to see めったに written without kanji, than with. However, both are used.

Fun Fact

As めったに originally means 'thoughtlessly', when appearing in a negative statement, the nuance becomes 'to not (A) thoughtlessly' (mindlessly, or aimlessly). This simply expresses that the speaker will not do (A) unintentionally, or (A) will not happen unless there is some special reason for it.

Related

Examples

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    父(ちち)は滅多(めった)にテレビを見(み)ない。

    My father rarely watches TV.

    こんなにいい話(はな)しは滅多(めった)にない。

    Such a nice story is rarely (heard).

    滅多(めった)に泣(な)かない彼(かれ)が泣(な)いていた。

    He, who hardly cries, was crying. (seldom・rarely)

    僕(ぼく)のおじいちゃんは滅多(めった)に笑(わら)わない。

    My grandpa seldom smiles.

    彼(かれ)は滅多(めった)に忘(わす)れないのに、今日(きょう)はどうしたんだろう？

    He rarely forgets, I wonder what happened today?

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