Japanese word

独特

Pronunciation

Romajidokutoku

Meaning

  • na-adjectiveunique

Example

この料理は独特です。ko no ryō ri wa doku toku de su

This dish is unique.

Illustration for 独特 (unique)

More examples

彼の話し方は独特です。kare no hana shi kata wa doku toku de su

His way of speaking is unique.

Core concept

Describes a quality that belongs especially to one thing and makes it unlike others.

Common phrases

  • 独特な味doku toku na aji

    unique taste

  • 独特の雰囲気doku toku no fun i ki

    unique atmosphere

Similar words

独自dokuji: Belonging especially to one person, group, or thing and not shared with others.
特有tokuyū: Found in or belonging to a particular person, place, or thing.
個性的koseiteki: Showing a person's distinctive character in a noticeable way.

Definition in Japanese

他のものには見られない、そのものだけの特徴を持つさま。hoka no mo no ni wa mi ra re na i so no mo no da ke no toku chō o mo tsu sa ma

Word origin

独特 (dokutoku) is a Sino-Japanese compound of 独 (doku, "alone") and 特 (toku, "special"), expressing a special quality found in one thing alone.

Usage tips

  • 独特 (dokutoku) commonly describes a style, taste, or way of speaking, so it can refer to a noticeable quality without saying that the quality is good or bad.

Other meanings

  • peculiarna-adjective

Opposites

Related words

  • 独特さdokutokusauniquenessnoun

Word lists with this word