Explanation
Expresses the rarity of an action, event or state; 'hardly', 'rarely', 'seldom'.
Formation
Verb-negative + めったにない, い-Adjective-negative + めったにない, な-Adjective-negative + めったにない, Noun-negative + めったにない
Detailed explanation
The ～めったにない grammar point is used to express that an action, event or state rarely, hardly, or seldom happens. It is usually combined with a negative verb form. Though it can be used with positive verbs, it is uncommon and sounds unnatural.
Examples
この町では雪が降ることはめったにない。
Kono machi de wa yuki ga furu koto wa metta ni nai.
It hardly ever snows in this town.
彼はめったに外食しない。
Kare wa metta ni gaishoku shinai.
He rarely eats out.
友達が遊びに来るのはめったにない。
Tomodachi ga asobi ni kuru no wa metta ni nai.
Friends seldom come to visit.
彼女はめったに怒らない。
Kanojo wa metta ni okoranai.
She hardly ever gets angry.
Practice
Grammar content sourced from hanabira.org.