零星 língxīng fragmentary
fragmentary; piecemeal; in bits and pieces; sporadic; scattered
How to remember 零星: 零 zero + 星 star = fragmentary.
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How it is used
- Scattered and sporadic - small, occasional bits - 零星的小雨 (língxīng de xiǎoyǔ) scattered light rain; 零星消息 fragmentary news.
- Describes things occurring here and there in small amounts, not continuously or in bulk.
- Contrast 零碎 (língsuì, odds and ends / bitty) - 零星 stresses sporadic scattering; 零碎 stresses fragmentary trivial pieces.