特殊|とくしゅtokushu[0]heiban (flat)

1. na-adjective, no-adjectivespecial; particular; peculiar; unique

• Synonym独特どくとくNeutralHighlights a flavor or quality no one else has, often with a positive feel, as in 「独特の香り」; 「特殊」 is about differing from the norm, an exception.
• Synonym特別とくべつNeutralMeans special or extra in degree, can act as an adverb, and often implies valuing or preferential treatment; 「特殊」 is about the nature being out of the ordinary.
• Synonym特有とくゆうNeutralUsually in the pattern 「〜特有の」, marking a feature unique to a certain class of things, whether innate or acquired; 「特殊」 means unlike the norm.
• Synonym特異とくいWrittenWritten/formal prose for something markedly different from the norm and conspicuous, common in academic and medical writing; 「特殊」 is more general-purpose.
• Synonym一種独特いっしゅどくとくNeutralA four-character phrase for a style, atmosphere, or flavor that is in a class of its own; 「特殊」 is more objective, about differing from the general.
• Related独自どくじNeutralSuggests a self-contained, independent approach of one's own, as in 「独自の方法」; 「特殊」 simply means differing from the general.
• Related並み外れなみはずれNeutralRefers to being far beyond the usual level, as in 「並み外れた才能」; 「特殊」 is about the quality or nature being different.
• Related風変わりふうがわりNeutralDescribes a personality or appearance that is a bit odd or quirky; 「特殊」 is more neutral.
• Related特定とくていNeutralPoints to one particular, pinned-down thing; 「特殊」 means differing from the general.
• Related珍ちんWrittenWritten/formal prose for rare and curious things, mostly as a prefix in words like 「珍事」 and 「珍妙」; rarely used on its own.
• RelatedユニークNeutralA loanword for being distinctively interesting, one of a kind, usually positive; 「特殊」 leans objective.
• Related異常いじょうNeutralMeans abnormal or off the norm and usually carries a negative shade; 「特殊」 is not necessarily negative.
• Related特異的とくいてきWrittenWritten/formal prose, mostly in medicine and biology, for something specific to one target only; 「特殊」 has broader use.
• Related一癖ひとくせNeutralA noun for a person's odd streak or trait that makes them hard to deal with, often in 「一癖ある」; 「特殊」 is a general na-adjective for differing from the norm.
• Related奇矯ききょうWrittenWritten/formal prose for bizarre, eccentric speech and behavior; 「特殊」 is more neutral.
• Related特異性とくいせいWrittenA written/formal noun for what makes something singular or peculiar; 「特殊」 is a na-adjective.
• Related特殊性とくしゅせいNeutralA noun for the special or distinctive character of something; 「特殊」 is the na-adjective.
• Antonym一般いっぱんNeutralThe antonym of 「特殊」 on the ordinary-vs-exceptional axis: general, common, not limited to special cases.
• Antonym普遍ふへんNeutralWidespread and shared by many things; the antonym of 「特殊」 on the axis of shared vs. distinctive.
• Antonym普通ふつうNeutralAlso opposite to 「特殊」 in terms of being standard: normal, everyday, nothing out of the ordinary.

Use 「特殊」 for what differs from the norm, an exception. For a quality or flavor no one else has, 「独特」 or the positive 「ユニーク」; for a style in a class of its own, 「一種独特」; for extra degree or treatment, 「特別」; for one's own independent way, 「独自」; for features unique to a class, 「特有」. Written/formal words: 「特異」, 「特異的」, 「特異性」, 「珍」, 「奇矯」. Far beyond the norm: 「並み外れ」; a bit odd: 「風変わり」, 「一癖」; abnormal: 「異常」; one particular thing: 「特定」; the quality as a noun: 「特殊性」. Antonyms: 「一般」, 「普通」, 「普遍」.

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

1. 普通ふつうと違ちがい、他たに類たぐいのないこと。例外的れいがいてきであること。