特別(とくべつ)

とくべつ
na-adjective, adverb
special, particular
descriptive
1. special, particular, exceptional
Distinguished from what is ordinary or usual. Out of the common.
特別(とくべつ)な人(ひと)だ。
You're a special person.
今日(きょう)は特別(とくべつ)な日(ひ)です。
Today is a special day.
特別な + noun
特別(とくべつ)な理由(りゆう)はありません。
There is no particular reason.
特別(とくべつ)な許可(きょか)が必要(ひつよう)です。
Special permission is required.
これは特別(とくべつ)なケースだ。
This is a special case.
2. especially, particularly (adverbial use)
When used adverbially, means 'especially' or 'in particular'.
これは特別(とくべつ)に作(つく)りました。
I made this specially.
Adverbial use with に
誕生日(たんじょうび)なので、特別(とくべつ)に美味(おい)しい料理(りょうり)を作(つく)ってあげようと思(おも)います。
Since it's your birthday, I'm thinking of making you something especially delicious.
特別(とくべつ)に安(やす)くしてくれた。
They gave me a special discount.
特別(とくべつ)に許可(きょか)をもらった。
I got special permission.
今回(こんかい)は特別(とくべつ)に見逃(みのが)してあげる。
I'll let it go just this once as a special exception.

特別(とくべつ) means special or particular, functioning as both na-adjective and adverb.

Common patterns

VS. 特(とく)に: both can render "especially," but they are not interchangeable. 特(とく)に singles one item out of a set (果物(くだもの)の中(なか)で特(とく)にいちごが好(す)き — of fruits, I especially like strawberries). 特別(とくべつ)に marks departure from normal practice — doing something as an exception or a favor. It is also 特(とく)に, not 特別(とくべつ)に, that appears in the fixed negative pattern 特(とく)に…ない (nothing in particular).

Related words

Usage

特別(とくべつ)に often implies an exception to the rule or special treatment.

Related Words

Antonym: 普通(ふつう) (ordinary)
Related: 格別(かくべつ) (exceptional, special)
Related: 特(とく)に (especially, in particular (adverb))
Related: 特殊(とくしゅ) (special, unique (more technical))
Related: 臨時(りんじ) (temporary, special, extraordinary)
Compare: 特定(とくてい) (specific, particular)
Compare: 一般的(いっぱんてき) (general, common)
Compare: 破格(はかく) (exceptional)
Compare: 例外的(れいがいてき) (exceptional)
core
Added 2026.1.7 21:41 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:00
01000/01120_tokubetsu