Japanese word

特に

Pronunciation

Romajitokuni

Meaning

  • adverbespecially

Example

私は特に犬が好きです。watashi wa toku ni inu ga su ki de su

I especially like dogs.

Illustration for 特に (especially)

More examples

私は特にりんごが好きです。watashi wa toku ni ri n go ga su ki de su

I especially like apples.

特に朝は道が空いています。toku ni asa wa michi ga a i te i ma su

The roads are especially quiet in the morning.

Core concept

Draws special attention to one part of a group without necessarily excluding the other parts.

Common phrases

  • 特に好きtoku ni su ki

    especially like

  • 特に有名toku ni yū mei

    especially famous

  • 特に気をつけるtoku ni ki o tsu ke ru

    be especially careful

Similar words

とりわけtoriwake: It marks one person, thing, or case as especially important within a group.
ひときわhitokiwa: It marks something as noticeably outstanding among similar things.
ことにkotoni: It gives special emphasis to one point, person, or thing.

Definition in Japanese

他のものよりも目立つものとして取り立てるさま。hoka no mo no yo ri mo me da tsu mo no to shi te to ri ta te ru sa ma

Word origin

特に (tokuni) consists of 特 (toku, "special") and the adverbial form に (ni), so it expresses treating something as special in a sentence.

Usage tips

  • 特にない (tokuni nai) is a common conversational phrase meaning "nothing in particular."

Word lists with this word