特徴
tokuchō[to̞kɯ̟̊t͡ɕo̞ː]
The English phrase 'characteristics' is translated into Japanese as 特徴 (tokuchō).
特徴 is used to describe the typical qualities or features that make a person or thing different from others. To say that something is distinctive or possesses certain qualities, you can use the phrase 特徴がある. If you wish to emphasize a specific characteristic, you can use the word totemo (very) before an adjective. This is distinct from 性格 (seikaku), which refers specifically to a person's personality and 癖 (kuse), which refers to a habit or quirk.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 特徴 is composed of the characters 特, meaning 'special' and 徴, meaning 'sign' or 'mark'.
Which one should you use?
While 特徴 refers to distinctive features that make something recognizable, the word 特性 (tokusei) is used for technical or inherent properties of a substance or a system.
How does it change in a sentence?
You can turn the noun into an adjective meaning 'characteristic' or 'typical' by adding the suffix 的な to create 特徴的な.
How do you pronounce it?
tokuchō
Did you know?
- When describing the 'characteristics' of a traditional Japanese garden, designers often focus on 間 (ma), the characteristic use of empty space, which has no direct English equivalent.
- The character 徴 in 特徴 is also used in the word 徴収 (chōshū), which means 'to collect' or 'to levy' taxes, showing its connection to an official sign or mark of authority.
- While 特徴 refers to distinguishing traits, Japanese uses the word 個性 (kosei) to describe the 'characteristic' uniqueness of a person's soul or identity, often translated as 'individuality'.
Examples in context
- アンシャンレジームの特徴の一つは、百姓以外は、殆ど誰もが特権をもっていたと言うことです。One of the characteristics of the Ancien Régime is that almost everybody had privileges, except peasants.This sentence is useful for discussing one of the features of the Ancien Régime using 特徴.Tatoeba #407545 by Scott, translation #407546 by Scott
- この製品の特徴は何ですか？Kono seihin no tokuchou wa nan desu ka?What are the characteristics of this product?
- この町の特徴は、古い街並みです。Kono machi no tokuchou wa, furui machinami desu.The characteristic of this town is its old streetscape.
Example conversation
Yui and Ren are discussing a new product at a store.
- 結衣 Yuiこの商品の特徴は何ですか？Kono shouhin no tokuchou wa nan desu ka?What are the characteristics of this product?
- 蓮 Renとても軽くて、使いやすいことです。Totemo karukute, tsukaiyasui koto desu.It's that it is very light and easy to use.
- 結衣 Yuiそれはいい特徴ですね。Sore wa ii tokuchou desu ne.That is a good characteristic.
- 蓮 Renはい、皆さんそれに惹かれています。Hai, minasan sore ni hikarete imasu.Yes, everyone is attracted to that.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 特徴, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
