adjective
rare, rarely
B1
selten = rare (adjective) and rarely (adverb). Gradable: comparative seltener, superlative am seltensten. Antonyms include meist, häufig, ständig. Regular adjective; no irregular forms. Used to describe low frequency or uncommon items or events (Seltenheit), can modify nouns or verbs depending on function.
VOCABULARY.DETAILS.EXAMPLES
Der Arzt erklärte, dass solche Nebenwirkungen selten auftraten, obwohl viele Patienten beunruhigt waren.
The doctor explained that such side effects were rare, although many patients were worried.
Solche Blumen sind in dieser Region sehr selten.
Such flowers are very rare in this region.
Ich nehme selten ein Taxi; meistens fahre ich mit dem Bus.
I rarely take a taxi; most of the time I go by bus.
VOCABULARY.DETAILS.DETAILS_LABEL
VOCABULARY.DETAILS.MNEMONICS
Picture an animal in a glass case labelled 'rare' — that label reads 'selten'.
sounds like English 'seldom' which also means 'rarely'.
VOCABULARY.DETAILS.NOTES
Functionally an adjective but often used adverbially to indicate frequency ('selten' = 'rarely'). Comparative and superlative forms are common in comparative statements.