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March 24, 2026
特别(特別)tèbié(te4bie2)
特别 (tèbié) means 'especially' or 'special' and is used to highlight something that stands out or is different from the usual. It is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts to express emphasis on a particular quality or characteristic.
Frequency#465DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of 'special' often relates to personal relationships, such as giving special treatment to friends or family during gatherings and celebrations.
Memory Tip
Imagine a special character (特别) that has a unique 'te' (特) twist to it. Picture a 'big' (别) star shining brightly, signifying something that is particularly special or unusual.
Meanings of 特别
tèbié(te4bie2)
1especially
2special
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 特别
特别Simplified
特別Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
副形词xíngróngcíadj-adverb (adj.-adv.)Part of Speech
#465Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L3HSK 3.0L3ElementaryTOCFLL2HSKKL1CEFRA1
Podcast: 特别
Podcast: 特别
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AI Study Notes for 特别
Quick Contrast
特别 (tèbié) vs 尤其 (yóuqí) — use 特别 for emphasizing a distinct quality, while 尤其 is better for highlighting specific examples or instances.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a special character (特别) that has a unique 'te' (特) twist to it. Picture a 'big' (别) star shining brightly, signifying something that is particularly special or unusual.
Usage Notes
Be careful to use the correct tone, as the first character '特' (tè) has a falling tone, while '别' (bié) has a rising tone. It's often used in phrases like '特别好' (tèbié hǎo) meaning 'especially good.'
HSK Study Tips
As a Level 3 HSK word, 特别 connects well with other adjectives and adverbs to describe qualities. Focus on using it to describe feelings or objects, enhancing your descriptive vocabulary.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of 'special' often relates to personal relationships, such as giving special treatment to friends or family during gatherings and celebrations.
Common Mistakes
Many learners confuse 特别 with 特色 (tèsè), which means 'characteristic.' For example, saying '这件衣服特别' (This piece of clothing is special) without context is vague; it's better to specify what makes it special.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 特别
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Grammar Patterns of 特别
特别 functions as an adverb — it modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb. In Chinese, adverbs sit BEFORE the verb they modify (我也去, 他常常迟到), never after it. It carries 4 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
It seemed a singularly ill-judged enterprise for Truman to undertake.
5
他特别严肃地说：“这可不好。”
tā tè bié yán sù dì shuō：“ ：“ zhè kě bù。”
"This is not good," he said with great seriousness.
6
你一定注意到他有时候显得特别疲惫。
nǐ yī dìng zhù yì dào tā yǒu shí hòu xiǎn dé tè bié pí bèi。
You must have noticed how tired he sometimes looks.
7
他的顶头上司特别提到了他。
tā de dǐng tóu shàng sī tè bié tí dào le tā。
His immediate superior has singled him out for a special mention.
8
他在丁格尔湾与海豚交流的时候特别开心。
tā zài dīng gé ěr wān yǔ hǎi tún jiāo liú de shí hòu tè bié kāi xīn。
He was so happy communing with the dolphin in Dingle Bay.
9
我说这话没什么恶意，但她并不是个特别有趣的伙伴。
wǒ shuō zhè huà méi shí mó è yì， ， dàn tā bìng bù shì gè tè bié yǒu qù de huǒ。
Without wishing to be unkind, she's not the most interesting company.
10
这在黎巴嫩的近代史上是个特别困难的时期。
zhè zài lí bā nèn de jìn dài shǐ shàng shì gè tè bié kùn nán de shí qī。
This had been a particularly difficult chapter in Lebanon's recent history.
Cultural Notes for 特别
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the concept of 'special' often relates to personal relationships, such as giving special treatment to friends or family during gatherings and celebrations.
Frequently Asked Questions about 特别
Yes, 特别 is suitable for both written and spoken contexts, but be mindful of the tone.
特别 emphasizes the aspect of being especially good or unique, while 特殊 refers to something that is unusual or exceptional.
You can use it like this: '这道菜特别好吃' (This dish is especially delicious).
