スペシャル

ス

ペ

シャ

ル

Common wordJLPTN1Freq.FrequencyTop 5,000

Meanings

Used as a na-adjective to describe something out of the ordinary, exceptional, or arranged for a particular occasion.

Refers to a one-off or special edition television or radio program, often longer or with special content.

スペシャルな〈物もの〉a special ~ (occasion, event, item)
今日きょうは彼かの女じょの誕たん生じょう日びで、スペシャルな一いち日にちになった。
Today is her birthday, so it turned into a special day.
スペシャルを放ほう送そうするto air a TV special
年ねん末まつにお笑わらいのスペシャルを放ほう送そうした。
A comedy special was aired at the end of the year.
〈物もの〉をスペシャルにするto make something special
彼かれはサプライズを用よう意いしてこの日ひをスペシャルにした。
He prepared a surprise to make this day special.

特とく別べつN4sense 1
特別 is the native Japanese word for 'special' used in both casual and formal contexts, while スペシャル is a loanword with a more modern, commercial or catchy feel.
特とく番ばん sense 2
特番 is the everyday abbreviation for a special TV program, essentially interchangeable with スペシャル in its TV-program sense.
特とく殊しゅN2sense 1
特殊 describes something technically peculiar, unusual, or specialized, whereas スペシャル conveys a positive sense of being exceptional or festive.
ＳＰ
スペシャル is the full word for a TV special or limited-edition item, while ＳＰ is its common abbreviated form.

普ふ通つうN4sense 1
普通 means 'ordinary' or 'usual', the direct opposite of スペシャル's sense of being exceptional or out of the ordinary.

スペシャリスト
スペシャリスト means 'specialist' (a person with expertise), while スペシャル is an adjective/noun meaning 'special' or 'special program'—learners sometimes confuse the two similar-looking loanwords.

Loanword from English 'special'.