特(とく)に

とくに
adverb
particularly; especially; in particular
1. particularly, especially
Emphasizes one thing above others or highlights a specific point.
特(とく)に日本料理(にほんりょうり)が好(す)きです。
I especially like Japanese food.
今日(きょう)は特(とく)に暑(あつ)い。
It's particularly hot today.
この点(てん)は特(とく)に大切(たいせつ)です。
This point is especially important.
2. not particularly (with negative)
With negative verbs, means 'nothing in particular' or 'not especially.'
特(とく)に問題(もんだい)はありません。
There's no particular problem.
With negative
何(なに)か食(た)べたいものある？ー特(とく)にない。
Is there anything you want to eat? — Nothing in particular.
Casual conversation
週末(しゅうまつ)は特(とく)に予定(よてい)がない。
I don't have any particular plans for the weekend.

特(とく)に is an adverb meaning 'particularly' or 'especially.'

Position: Usually appears before the word/phrase being emphasized.

Modifies: Verbs, adjectives, and noun phrases.

[Register: Neutral]

With negative verbs:

  • 特(とく)に〜ない means 'not particularly ~' or 'nothing in particular'
  • 特(とく)にない is a common response meaning 'nothing special/particular'

Similar expressions:

  • 特(とく)に vs. 特別(とくべつ)に: 特別(とくべつ)に means 'specially' (as a special case); 特(とく)に means 'especially/particularly' (emphasis).
  • 特(とく)に vs. とりわけ: とりわけ is more formal and literary.

Common patterns:

  • 特(とく)に〜が好(す)き (especially like ~)
  • 特(とく)に〜はない (there isn't any ~ in particular)
general
Added 2026.1.8 21:16 · Revised 2026.3.25 22:28
01000/01260_tokuni