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German frequency list

No. 553 in German

selten

Rare or seldom.

In a sentence

  • Ich sehe ihn nur selten.

    I rarely see him.

    In this sentence, 'selten' is used as an adverb to describe how frequently an action, 'seeing him,' occurs.

  • Das ist ein seltener Fund.

    This is a rare find.

    Here, 'selten' is an adjective, modifying the noun 'Fund' to describe its uncommon nature.

  • Solche Gelegenheiten ergeben sich nur sehr selten.

    Such opportunities arise only very rarely.

    Again as an adverb, 'selten' emphasizes the infrequent nature of the occurrences, in this case, of opportunities happening.

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