特徴(とくちょう)

とくちょう
noun
characteristic, feature
1. characteristic, distinctive feature, trait
A distinguishing quality or attribute that makes something or someone recognizable or unique. Can be positive, negative, or neutral.
この製品(せいひん)の特徴(とくちょう)を説明(せつめい)してください。
Please explain the features of this product.
彼(かれ)の特徴(とくちょう)は高(たか)い身長(しんちょう)だ。
His distinguishing feature is his tall height.
日本語(にほんご)には敬語(けいご)という特徴(とくちょう)がある。
Japanese has the characteristic of having honorific language.

USAGE: 特徴(とくちょう) describes distinctive features that help identify or characterize something. It's neutral and can apply to both positive and negative attributes.

COMMON PATTERNS:

  • 〜の特徴(とくちょう) (the characteristic of ~)
  • 特徴(とくちょう)がある (to have characteristics)
  • 特徴(とくちょう)的(てき)な〜 (characteristic ~, typical ~)
  • 特徴(とくちょう)を捉(とら)える (to capture characteristics)
  • 特徴(とくちょう)を活(い)かす (to make use of characteristics)

CONTRAST WITH 特長(とくちょう):

  • 特徴(とくちょう) - any distinguishing feature (positive, negative, or neutral)
  • 特長(とくちょう) - strong point, advantage, merit (always positive)

Both are read とくちょう but have different nuances.

Related Words

Contrast: 特長(とくちょう) (strong point (positive only))
general
Added 2026.1.12 18:41 · Revised 2026.5.26 4:11
03000/03456_tokuchou