दुर्लभ (durlabh)

adjective A single-sense adjective meaning 'rare, hard to obtain' -- used for scarce objects, opportunities, or qualities.
Sense 1 : rare, scarce, hard to find/obtain
adjective
Synonyms: विरल (viral, less common in speech), अनोखा (anokhaa, unique/one-of-a-kind rather than scarce), बेशकीमती (beshkiimtii, emphasizes value more than scarcity)
Frequency: medium
Cultural Note: You'll meet दुर्लभ (durlabh) constantly in news headlines, museum plaques, and nature documentaries -- दुर्लभ प्रजाति (durlabh prajaati, 'rare species') and दुर्लभ अवसर (durlabh avsar, 'rare opportunity') are stock phrases. It carries a slightly bookish, respectful weight, a bit like saying 'exceedingly rare' rather than just 'rare' in English.
Common Mistakes: 1) Learners often reach for अनोखा (anokhaa) when they mean दुर्लभ (durlabh) -- अनोखा stresses being unusual or one-of-a-kind, while दुर्लभ (durlabh) stresses that something is scarce or hard to obtain; a two-headed coin is अनोखा (anokhaa), a rare disease is दुर्लभ (durlabh). 2) This word sits at a slightly formal/written register -- in casual speech, people often just say कम मिलता है (kam miltaa hai, 'it's rarely found') instead of reaching for दुर्लभ (durlabh).
Sample Sentences:
यह एक दुर्लभ प्रजाति है, जो अब सिर्फ इन जंगलों में पाई जाती है। This is a rare species, now found only in these forests.
(yah ek durlabh prajaati hai, jo ab sirph in janglon men paaii jaatii hai।)
Register: Neutral -- Mood: Indicative -- Aspect: Habitual -- Tense: Present -- Voice: Passive
यह अपने आप में एक दुर्लभ अवसर है, इसे मत खोइए। This is a rare opportunity in itself, don't lose it.
(yah apne aap men ek durlabh avsar hai, ise mat khoie।)
Register: Formal -- Mood: Imperative -- Tense: Present -- Voice: Active
संग्रहालय में एक दुर्लभ पांडुलिपि रखी गई है। A rare manuscript has been kept in the museum.
(sangrahaalay men ek durlabh paandulipi rakhii gaii hai।)
Register: Formal -- Mood: Indicative -- Aspect: Perfective -- Tense: Present -- Voice: Passive
यदि यह पत्थर वास्तव में दुर्लभ होता, तो इसकी कीमत करोड़ों में होती। If this stone were truly rare, its price would be in the crores.
(yadi yah patthar vaastav men durlabh hotaa, to iskii kiimat karodon men hotii।)
Register: Neutral -- Mood: Counterfactual -- Aspect: Habitual -- Voice: Active
काश मुझे भी कोई दुर्लभ किताब मिल जाती। If only I too could find some rare book.
(kaash mujhe bhii koii durlabh kitaab mil jaatii।)
Register: Literary -- Mood: Subjunctive -- Voice: Active
हिमालय की ऊँची चोटियों पर कई दुर्लभ पौधे उगते हैं। Many rare plants grow on the high peaks of the Himalayas.
(himaalay kii oonchii chotiyon par kaii durlabh paudhe ugte hain।)
Register: Formal -- Mood: Indicative -- Aspect: Habitual -- Tense: Present -- Voice: Active
यार, इतना दुर्लभ सिक्का तुझे कहाँ से मिल गया? Dude, where did you even get such a rare coin?
(yaar, itnaa durlabh sikkaa tujhe kahaan se mil gayaa?)
Register: Casual -- Mood: Indicative -- Aspect: Perfective -- Tense: Past -- Voice: Active
आने वाले वर्षों में यह पक्षी दुर्लभ हो जाएगा, ऐसा वैज्ञानिकों का अनुमान है। In the coming years, this bird will become rare, scientists estimate.
(aane vaale varshon men yah pakshii durlabh ho jaaegaa, aisaa vaigyaanikon kaa anumaan hai।)
Register: Formal -- Mood: Indicative -- Tense: Future -- Voice: Active
सच्ची दोस्ती आज के दौर में दुर्लभ मानी जाती है। True friendship is considered rare in today's times.
(sachchii dostii aaj ke daur men durlabh maanii jaatii hai।)
Register: Literary -- Mood: Indicative -- Aspect: Habitual -- Tense: Present -- Voice: Passive
ऐसा दुर्लभ संयोग सदियों में एक बार बनता है। Such a rare coincidence occurs once in centuries.
(aisaa durlabh sanyog sadiyon men ek baar bantaa hai।)
Register: Literary -- Mood: Indicative -- Aspect: Habitual -- Tense: Present -- Voice: Active
Morphology
Adjective (invariant)
invariant: दुर्लभ (durlabh)