ZHIZHI 知止 · LEARN CHINESE DAILY
特
special; particularly
tè
10 strokes · 牛 (ox) + 寺 (temple, sound) · HSK 3
Where 特 comes from
Originally the bull raised apart for temple sacrifice — the one animal too special for field work. 'Set apart' became 'special, exceptional, particularly'.
特 in Chinese culture
特别 especially, 特点 distinctive feature, 独特 unique. 特区 'special zone' — the word that named Shenzhen's economic miracle. When something is 特好, it's not just good, it's exceptionally good.
Example
特别 tèbié — especially
今天天气特别好。
Jīntiān tiānqì tèbié hǎo.
The weather is especially nice today.
How to remember it
The temple OX set apart from the herd — SPECIAL.
特 is also 'agent' in 特务 (secret agent) — the operative set apart for a special mission.
Same sound, different tones
Words unlocked by 特
特别 tèbié
especially
特点 tèdiǎn
characteristic
Related characters
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