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Kotomora

特

special

JLPTN4StatusJōyō · grade 4FrequencyTop 500Strokes10

Readings

On'yomi

  • トク

Kun'yomi

—

Meaning

特 centers on something standing apart from the ordinary: a special, distinctive, or exceptional quality that sets it apart.

Most common words using 特

24 of 493
  • 特にとくに
    N5

    particularly; especially; in particular; expressly

  • 特別とくべつ
    N4

    special; particular; extraordinary; exceptional; especial

  • 特徴とくちょう
    N3

    feature; trait; characteristic; peculiarity; distinction

  • 特定とくてい
    N2

    specific; particular; designated; special

  • 特殊とくしゅ
    N2

    special; particular; peculiar; unique

  • 特集とくしゅう
    N1

    feature (e.g. newspaper); special edition; report

  • 特典とくてん
    N1

    privilege; special favor; special favour; benefit; prerogative; perk; amenity

  • 独特どくとく
    N2

    peculiarity; uniqueness; characteristic

  • 特性とくせい

    special characteristic; special quality; trait; idiosyncrasy; peculiarity

  • 特許とっきょ
    N1

    patent

  • 特急とっきゅう
    N5

    limited express (train for which a limited-express ticket is required)

  • 特有とくゆう
    N1

    characteristic (of); peculiar (to)

  • 特権とっけん
    N1

    privilege; special right

  • 特設とくせつ

    setting up specially; special installation

  • 特異とくい
    N1

    unique; peculiar; singular

  • 特技とくぎ
    N2

    special skill

  • 特製とくせい
    N2

    special make; deluxe

  • 特色とくしょく
    N3

    characteristic; (distinctive) feature; peculiarity; distinguishing quality; special character

  • 特大とくだい

    extra-large; king-size

  • 特例とくれい

    special case; exception

  • 特産とくさん
    N1

    being produced in a particular region; local specialty

  • 特訓とっくん
    N1

    special training; intensive training; crash course

  • 特捜とくそう

    special investigation

  • 特選とくせん

    special selection; special approval

Explore all words using 特 →

Study

Etymology

特 combines 牜 (cow) with 寺, which likely contributes the sound. The original meaning was a bull, a special male animal, which extended to the general idea of something special.

Meaning mnemonic

A cow 牜 beside a temple 寺: picture a special, sacred cow set apart at the temple, making it exceptional.

Reading mnemonic

For トク, imagine a special talk (トーク) given by the temple cow: talk -> トク, and the cow's special status makes the talk memorable.