How to say "specific" in Japanese

• 特定とくていJLPT N2approx.Common
  no-adjectiveCovers 'specific' in the sense of 'particular' or 'designated': pointing to one identifiable person, thing, or case out of many, as in a specific date, place, or individual.
  別べつに特定とくていの人ひとをさして言いっているのではない。↗

  I am not alluding to any person in particular.
• 具体的ぐたいてきCommon
  na-adjectiveCovers 'specific' meaning concrete and definite rather than vague or abstract; it is the word you want when asking someone to be more specific or to give concrete details.
  その警告けいこくはわかりやすいし具体的ぐたいてきだ。↗

  The warnings are clear and concrete.
• 詳細しょうさいJLPT N1approx.Common
  na-adjectivePrimarily means 'detailed'; its 'specific' sense is that of full, minute particulars, so it suits 'specific information' or 'specific details', but for many purposes 'detailed' is the better English.
  私わたしたちはその件けんを詳細しょうさいに検討けんとうした。↗

  We debated the matter at length.

Choose 特定 when 'specific' means a particular, designated thing, 具体的 when it means concrete rather than vague, and 詳細 when it means detailed or minute, where 'detailed' is often the closer English.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 特定とくていspecific
• 具体的ぐたいてきconcrete
• 対症たいしょうspecific (e.g. antibody)
• スペシフィックspecific
• 特異的とくいてきspecific
• 詳細しょうさいdetailed