sparse · estranged

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 疎 has 12 strokes and concerns sparseness, distant relationships, or unfamiliarity.
• Basic usage: 疎い is read うとい, and 疎遠 is read そえん.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Unfamiliarity and distant relationships
  • 機械に疎い means unfamiliar with machinery.
  • 昔の友人とは疎くなって describes becoming distant from old friends.
  • The 疎 in 疎遠 is read そ.
  • 昔の友人と疎遠になった means became distant from an old friend.