Meaning of 特殊
Definitions from CC-CEDICT.
- special
- particular
- unusual
- extraordinary
How to use 特殊
特殊 describes situations, cases, needs or circumstances that are out of the ordinary, and it often sounds a bit formal or serious. It commonly appears in phrases like 特殊情况 (tèshū qíngkuàng, special circumstances). Example: 这是一个特殊的情况。(Zhè shì yí gè tèshū de qíngkuàng.) This is a special case.
特 (tè) means special, as in 特别 (tèbié), and 殊 (shū) means different or distinct. Put them together and you get something that stands apart from the usual: 特殊 (tèshū), special or unusual.
Common mistake: Learners often use 特殊 where 特别 fits better. 特别 can mean very, as in 特别好 (tèbié hǎo, really good), but 特殊 cannot be used as an adverb, so 特殊好 is wrong. Also note that 殊 is first tone (shū), not fourth.
特殊 in example sentences
Real sentences from the Tatoeba project, with pinyin and English.
Stroke order for each character
Open a character for its meaning, components and more words.
特 tè · special · 10 strokes
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8
- 9
- 10
殊 shū · different · 10 strokes
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8
- 9
- 10
Related words
Words that share a character with 特殊.
| 特别 | tèbié | unusual; special; very; especially; particularly |
| 特点 | tèdiǎn | characteristic; trait; feature |
| 特色 | tèsè | a characteristic; a distinctive feature or quality |
| 独特 | dútè | unique; distinctive |
| 特征 | tèzhēng | characteristic; diagnostic property |
| 模特儿 | mótèr | (fashion) model (loanword) |
| 特价 | tèjià | special price |
| 特定 | tèdìng | special; specific; designated; particular |
| 特性 | tèxìng | property; characteristic |
| 特有 | tèyǒu | specific (to); characteristic (of) |
| 特意 | tèyì | specially; intentionally |
| 特地 | tèdì | specially; for a special purpose |
Questions about 特殊
What does 特殊 mean?
特殊 (tèshū) means "special; particular" and is used as a adjective.
How do you write 特殊?
特殊 is made of 2 characters: 特 (10 strokes), 殊 (10 strokes). That is 20 strokes in total.
Is 特殊 an HSK word?
Yes. 特殊 is on the HSK 4 vocabulary list of the HSK 3.0 standard.
What is the difference between 特殊 and 独特?
特殊 means different from the normal case, often in a neutral or practical sense, like special needs or special treatment. 独特 (dútè) means unique or distinctive and is usually a compliment, like a unique style.
Can 特殊 be used to praise something?
Usually not on its own. 特殊 mostly points out that something is an exception, and it can even hint at a problem, as in 特殊待遇 (tèshū dàiyù, special treatment). To praise something, Chinese speakers more often use 特别 or 独特.