特に
toku ni[to̞kɯ̟ ɲ̟i]
The English phrase 'especially' is translated into Japanese as 特に (toku ni). If unsure, use 特に. Wiktionary also lists なかんずく (nakanzuku).
Meaning: particularly (adv)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 特に | toku ni | [to̞kɯ̟ ɲ̟i] (narrow) |
| なかんずく | nakanzuku | [na̠kã̠nd͡zɨkɯ̟] (narrow) |
The term 特に is used to mean 'particularly' or 'especially'.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 特に is composed of the character 特, meaning 'special' or 'unique' and the particle に, which turns the preceding element into an adverb.
Which one should you use?
特に is common in daily conversation. In contrast, なかんずく is a formal, literary term used to single out something as being especially important or noteworthy.
How does it change in a sentence?
When used with a negative verb, 特に can mean 'not particularly' or 'not especially'.
How do you pronounce it?
toku ni
Did you know?
- The character 特 in 特に also appears in the word 特急 (tokkyū), which describes the 'limited express' trains that are the fastest in Japan.
- The formal version なかんずく is so rare in modern daily life that using it in a casual conversation might make you sound like a character from a historical novel or a very old textbook.
- Japanese often omits 特に entirely if the context implies a preference, as overusing the word can sometimes sound too insistent or demanding.
Examples in context
- 今朝は特に寒い。It is especially cold this morning.This sentence is useful for describing the weather with 特に.Tatoeba #172252 by bunbuku, translation #242223 by CK
- 今日は特に暑い日だ。It's especially hot today.This sentence shows how to use 特に to describe temperature.Tatoeba #12962659 by Inu, translation #12631790 by CK
- 今年のりんごは特に甘い。The apples are especially sweet this year.This sentence demonstrates using 特に to emphasize a specific quality of an object.Tatoeba #11512198 by small_snow, translation #8997468 by mccarras
- 特に注意してくださいPlease pay special attention
- 特に問題ありませんThere are no particular problems
- 料理はとりわけ美味しかったですThe food, especially, was delicious
- 彼の演技はとりわけ優れているHis acting, in particular, is excellent
- とりわけ気に入っている本A book that I especially like
- 特にないNothing, in particular
- 映画はとくにおもしろくなかったThe movie wasn't especially interesting
- 今日はとくに忙しいToday is especially busy
- 13 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Kenta and Yui are discussing a movie they just watched.
- 結衣 Yuiあの映画はどうだった？Ano eiga wa dou datta?How was that movie?
- 健太 Kenta面白かったよ。特に音楽が良かった。Omoshirokatta yo. Toku ni ongaku ga yokatta.It was interesting. Especially the music was good.
- 結衣 Yui確かに、音楽は最高だったね。Tashika ni, ongaku wa saikou datta ne.True, the music was the best.
- 健太 Kenta結衣はどのシーンが好きだった？Yui wa dono shiin ga suki datta?Which scene did you like, Yui?
Sources
- Wiktionary, “especially” translations and entries 特に, なかんずく, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
