How to say "scarce" in Japanese

• 希少きしょうCommon
  na-adjective, nounCovers the sense of scarce meaning rare and hard to come by, with a nuance of value or preciousness. Typical for valuable resources, animals, or metals that exist only in small amounts.
  古代こだいにおいて塩しおは希少きしょうで貴重きちょうな商品しょうひんであった。↗

  Salt was a rare and costly commodity in ancient times.
• 乏しいとぼしいJLPT N1approx.Common
  i-adjectiveCovers scarce in the sense of insufficient or lacking, emphasizing a meagre, inadequate supply relative to what is needed. Typical for food, money, water, or experience falling short.
  この国くにには石油せきゆが乏とぼしい。↗

  Oil is scarce in this country.
• 少ないすくないJLPT N5approx.Common
  i-adjectiveReally just means few or small in amount, so it matches scarce only when you mean there is little of something. It is the plain everyday choice for low quantity rather than rarity.
  この病気びょうきに勝かてる人ひとは少すくない。↗

  Not many survive this disease.

Use 希少 for rarity or preciousness, 「乏しい」 for an insufficient or meagre supply, and 「少ない」 simply for small quantity; 「少ない」 is the plainest and often the default.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 希少きしょうscarce
• 乏しいとぼしいmeagre
• 少ないすくないfew
• 薄うすscarce
• 寥々りょうりょうfew