Translation guide
The English adverb 'particularly' is used to single out something as more relevant, to emphasize a quality, or to mean 'in detail'. Japanese expresses these ideas with different adverbs and patterns depending on the nuance.
To single out one thing as standing out from the rest, often meaning 'especially' or 'in particular'.
The most common and versatile equivalent. Works in both spoken and written Japanese.
I particularly like this movie.
It's particularly hot today.
Slightly more formal/literary than 特に. Emphasizes distinction.
This issue is particularly important.
Literally 'among them', used to pick out one item from a group.
Among fruits, I particularly like strawberries.
To emphasize the extent of a quality, similar to 'very' or 'extremely'.
Also used for degree, but often combined with other intensifiers for stronger emphasis.
He isn't particularly tall.
Means 'exceptionally' or 'particularly' when describing a quality. Often used in set phrases like 格別おいしい.
Literary/formal expression meaning 'unexpectedly' or 'particularly'.
To describe something in a detailed or specific manner.
To express a lack of strong feeling or distinction, often in negative sentences.
The most common casual way to say 'not particularly'. 別に means 'separately' or 'particularly' in negative contexts.
More neutral/standard than 別に. Used in both speech and writing.
There's no particular problem.
Means 'not very' or 'not particularly'. Slightly more emphatic than 特に.
It's not particularly interesting.
特に is the standard word for 'particularly' in positive and negative sentences. 別に is used almost exclusively in negative sentences to mean 'not particularly' and carries a casual, sometimes dismissive tone. Avoid 別に in formal writing.
My particularly favorite food is sushi.
I don't particularly like it.
English 'particularly' before adjectives is often just 特に, but overusing it can sound unnatural. In many cases, Japanese prefers a simple adjective or a different intensifier like とても or かなり. For example, 'particularly interesting' is often just とても面白い rather than 特に面白い, unless you are contrasting with other things.
She is particularly good at math.
Do you have any particular reason?
今日の料理は格別おいしい。
Today's dish is particularly delicious.
彼の演説はことのほか感動的だった。
His speech was particularly moving.
Tell me particularly (specifically) what the problem is.