특히
teukhi[tʰɯcçi]
The Korean word for 'especially' is 특히 (teukhi).
특히 is an adverb used to single out a specific item, person or situation from a larger group, serving a similar function to the English 'especially' or 'particularly'. For example, you might use it to describe an 특히 중요한 사실 (especially important fact) or 특히 좋아하는 음식 (especially favorite food).
Meaning: particularly (adv)
Which one should you use?
While 특히 is the standard way to say 'especially', you may also encounter the synonym 특별히. The word 특별히 is often used when emphasizing that something was done with a specific purpose or intention (equivalent to 'specially').
How does it change in a sentence?
As an adverb, 특히 is quite simple to use because it does not change its form based on the person or the tense of the sentence.
How do you pronounce it?
teukhi
Did you know?
- While 특히 is an adverb, the noun form of its root, 특이, is often used in Korean to describe something that is 'peculiar' or 'unusual' rather than just 'special'.
- The first syllable of 특히, the Hanja 特, is the same character used in the word for 'special' or 'extraordinary' in many other East Asian languages like Japanese and Chinese.
- In spoken Korean, 특히 is often used as a discourse marker at the start of a sentence to pivot the conversation toward a specific detail. This mirrors how English speakers might start a sentence with 'Specifically'.
Examples in context
- 저런 상태에서 일하는 것은 특히 어려운 일이었다.Working in such conditions was especially difficult.This sentence demonstrates how to use 특히 to describe a difficulty in a specific situation.Tatoeba #8354000 by Eunhee, translation #6029328 by Huskion
- 우리 팀의 모든 구성원은 특히 열심히 일해야 합니다.Our entire team especially needs to work hard.
- 너는 공부를 잘하는 편인데, 영어는 특히도 잘하잖아.You are generally good at studying, especially English.
- 이번 가을은 특히 날씨가 좋을 거예요.This autumn, the weather will be especially good.
- 저는 특히 수학 과목에 관심이 많아서 대학에서 수학을 전공하고 싶어요.I'm particularly interested in math, so I want to major in it at university.
- 오늘은 특별히 맛있는 음식을 준비했어요.I prepared especially delicious food today.
- 오늘은 특히 춥네요.oneureun teukhi chupneyo.It is especially cold today.
- 그 영화는 특히 재미있었어요.geu yeonghwaneun teukhi jaemiisseosseoyo.That movie was especially fun.
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about food at a cafe.
- 도현 Do-hyeon여기 커피는 특히 맛있어요.yeogi keopineun teukhi masisseoyo.The coffee here is especially delicious.
- 민지 Min-ji맞아요, 도현 씨 입맛에 잘 맞나 보네요.majayo, dohyun ssi immase jal matna boneyo.You're right, it seems to suit your taste, Dohyun.
- 도현 Do-hyeon네, 민지 씨도 한 번 드셔보세요.ne, minji ssido han beon deusyeoboseyo.Yes, Minji, you should try some too.
- 민지 Min-ji좋아요, 저도 마셔볼게요.joayo, jeodo masyeobolgeyo.Okay, I will try it too.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 특히, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 특히, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
