How to say "characteristic" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 特徴とくちょうnounThe default word for 'characteristic' as a noun: a feature or trait that identifies a person, thing, or situation. Use it when simply listing or describing what something is like.
- 独特どくとくno-adjective, na-adjectiveA noun or na-adjective meaning peculiarity or uniqueness: something has a manner or style all its own. Choose it when emphasizing that the characteristic is unlike anyone else's.
- 特有とくゆうno-adjective, na-adjectiveA na-adjective meaning characteristic of or peculiar to something: the trait belongs specifically to that person, place, or group. Use it with の to say what the trait is typical of.
- 固有こゆうno-adjective, na-adjectiveMeans characteristic of, peculiar to, inherent in, or endemic: a trait inherent in something and not found elsewhere, often in technical or academic description. A narrower choice than 特有.
- 特色とくしょくnounA distinctive feature or distinguishing quality: the characteristic that makes something stand out. Common in contexts like describing a school's or product's selling points.
Use 特徴 for a general feature or trait, 特色 for a distinctive quality, 特有 and 固有 for things characteristic of a particular group, and 独特 for uniqueness.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
- 特徴とくちょうfeature
- 独特どくとくpeculiarity
- 特有とくゆうcharacteristic (of)
- 固有こゆうcharacteristic (of)
- 特色とくしょくcharacteristic
- 性癖せいへきdisposition
- 特質とくしつcharacteristic
- メルクマールcharacteristic
- 独自どくじoriginal
- 持ち前もちまえnatural
- 体臭たいしゅうbody odor
- 個性的こせいてきindividual
- 標数ひょうすうcharacteristic (of a ring or field in algebra)
- 自分らしいじぶんらしいcharacteristic
- 指数部しすうぶexponent portion
- 特徴的とくちょうてきdistinctive
- 性格的せいかくてきpersonality-wise
- 一流いちりゅうcharacteristic (of)
See also
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