特とくに

と

く

に

Meanings

1

Used to single out something from a group or to emphasize a specific point. Often appears at the beginning of a sentence or before the emphasized word.

今日きょうは特とく

に

暑あつ

い

。

It's especially hot today.

特とくに何なにか欲ほしいものはありますか。

Is there anything in particular you want?

Usage patterns

特とくに〈物もの〉が好すきだto especially like a particular thing
和わ食しょくの中なかで特とくに寿す司しが好すきです。
Among Japanese food, I especially like sushi.
特とくに〈事こと〉はないthere is nothing in particular (to say/do)
今日きょうは特とくに予よ定ていはない。
I don't have any particular plans today.
特とくに〈形けい容よう詞し〉especially [adjective]; particularly [adjective]
今日きょうは特とくに暑あつい。
It's especially hot today.

Expressions

特とくになしnothing in particular; none in particular

Kanji

特special

Related words· 8

殊ことにN1
殊に is a more formal/literary way of saying 特に 'particularly', found mainly in writing.
取とり分わけN1
とりわけ is a stronger, more emphatic synonym of 特に, often used when singling out the top item in a group.
特とく段だん
特段 is a slightly formal synonym of 特に, common in business or official contexts and often followed by a negative.
別べつにN3
特に is a neutral 'especially' used in both affirmative and negative sentences, while 別に is almost always paired with a negative and adds a dismissive, 'not really' nuance.

Show 4 more

中なかでもN2
特に is a general-purpose word for 'especially' usable in almost any context, while 中でも specifically points to one member of a stated group or list.
中なかにも
特に is a general word for 'especially' usable anywhere, whereas 中にも in this sense specifically points back to a stated group or range.
格かく別べつN2
特に is the everyday adverb for 'especially', whereas 格別 is a more formal, emphatic alternative used in the same adverbial slot.

Don't confuse with

特とく別べつN4
特に is an adverb meaning 'particularly', while 特別 is a na-adjective/noun meaning 'special', so they cannot be swapped grammatically.

Written forms

特とくにUsage74%
Standard kanji spelling; high-frequency word.
とくにUsage26%
Kana spelling is common in casual writing, but kanji is preferred in formal contexts.

Etymology

Compound of 特 (とく, 'special') + に (adverbial particle).

ひときわ

N1

特に is a general-purpose 'especially', while ひときわ specifically emphasizes visual or sensory conspicuousness among similar things.