滅多に〜ない
Hardly, Rarely, Seldom
Structure
Noun + は + めったにない
Explanation
The expression めったに～ない is used to describe something that happens infrequently, and can be translated as 'rarely', 'seldom', or 'hardly ever'. The word 滅多 originally comes from a な-Adjective meaning 'careless' or 'indiscreet'. Because of this, when used as an adverb, 滅多に carries a literal meaning of 'carelessly' or 'indiscreetly'.
めったに～ない is almost always used in combination with a verb in its negative form. When following a noun, it is often accompanied by the adverbial particle は.
- 試験が近いから、最近はテレビをめったに見ない。Because my exams are coming up, I rarely watch TV these days.
- 私は辛いものが苦手なので、カレーはめったに食べない。I'm not a big fan of spicy food, so I hardly ever eat curry.
- こんな経験はめったにないよ！An experience like this is very rare!
- 一人で映画館に行くことはめったにない。I seldom go to the movie theater by myself.
Caution
Although めったに may sometimes be written using kanji, it is overwhelmingly more common to see it written in hiragana. Both forms are acceptable.
Fun Fact
Because the original meaning of めったに is 'carelessly', when used in a negative sentence, it carries the nuance of 'not doing something without good reason'. This implies that the action isn't performed casually or on a whim, but only when specific circumstances warrant it.
- よほどのことがない限り、彼はめったに怒らない。Unless it's something really serious, he doesn't get angry without a good reason.
- 仕事が忙しいので、平日はお酒をめったに飲まない。Since work is busy, I don't just casually drink on weekdays.
Examples
私は滅多に肉を食べない。
I rarely eat meat.
あんなに親切な人は滅多にいないよ。
You rarely find someone that kind.
滅多に褒めない上司に褒められた。
I was praised by my boss, who hardly ever gives compliments. (seldom・rarely)
私の妹は滅多に部屋を掃除しない。
My younger sister seldom cleans her room.
彼女は滅多に遅刻しないのに、今日はまだ来ないね。
She rarely comes late; I wonder why she isn't here yet today.
この町では滅多に雪が降らないので、子供たちは大喜びだった。
It rarely snows in this town, so the children were overjoyed.
最近はコーヒーを滅多に飲まなくなった。
I hardly ever drink coffee these days. (seldom・rarely)
このお店は人気で、予約なしでは滅多に入れない。
This place is so popular you can rarely get in without a reservation.
せっかく新しいゲームを買ったのに、忙しくて滅多にできない。
Even though I went to the trouble of buying a new game, I'm so busy I hardly get to play it.
祖父は滅多にスマートフォンを使いません。
My grandfather seldom uses his smartphone.
この地方に台風が来ることは滅多にありません。
It's rare for a typhoon to come to this region.
滅多にスーツは着ませんが、明日は友達の結婚式なので着なければなりません。
I seldom wear suits, but I have to wear one tomorrow for a friend's wedding.