Japanese word

特有

Pronunciation

Romajitokuyū

Meaning

  • na-adjectivecharacteristic of ___

Example

この習慣はこの地域に特有です。ko no shū kan wa ko no chi iki ni toku yū de su

This custom is characteristic of this region.

Illustration for 特有 (characteristic of ___)

More examples

この料理には特有の香りがあります。ko no ryō ri ni wa toku yū no kao ri ga a ri ma su

This dish has a distinctive aroma.

Core concept

Describes a feature or quality that belongs especially to one particular person, group, place, or thing.

Common phrases

  • 地域に特有の文化chi iki ni toku yū no bun ka

    culture characteristic of a region

  • 日本特有の習慣nihon toku yū no shū kan

    a custom characteristic of Japan

  • 特有の香りtoku yū no kao ri

    a distinctive aroma

Similar words

固有koyū: Belongs naturally and specifically to one person, group, place, or thing.
特徴的tokuchōteki: Clearly shows qualities that identify a person, group, place, or thing.
独特dokutoku: Describes qualities that make a person, group, place, or thing distinctive.

Definition in Japanese

ある物事や場所などにだけ備わっている性質や特徴があるさま。a ru mono goto ya ba sho na do ni da ke sona wa tte i ru sei shitsu ya toku chō ga a ru sa ma

Word origin

特有 (tokuyū) combines 特 (toku, "special") and 有 (yū, "have"), expressing something specially possessed by a particular thing or place.

Usage tips

  • In English, characteristic of usually sounds neutral, while peculiar to stresses that a feature belongs only to a particular person, group, or place.

Other meanings

  • peculiar to ___na-adjective

Opposites

Word lists with this word