(tè bié) - especially, particularly, special in Mandarin

tèbié

Traditional: 特別

HSK 4

#492 of 5,000 Core 1000

Translation

especially, particularly, special

Word origin

A compound of 特 (tè) 'special, particular' and 別 (bié) 'to separate, other'. 特 has 牛 (cow) as radical with 寺 as phonetic; 別 combines a bone element with 刂 (knife), suggesting cutting apart. Together they mean 'especially'.

Origin: compound
Root: 特 (tè, special: 牛 cow + 寺 phonetic) + 別 (bié, to separate: 刂 knife)

Stroke order

特

别

Examples

。

I particularly like music.

菜cài。

This dish is especially delicious.

。

He is particularly happy today.

。

I particularly like this book.

。

Today's breakfast was especially delicious.

特别 (tè bié) - especially, particularly, special.

Where this fits

The 1,000 most common Mandarin words

Where this word sits in the core vocabulary, and what to learn around it.

Mandarin vocabulary by HSK level

How many words each level actually needs, with real counts.

Mandarin learning guides

Podcasts, pronunciation traps and the things a word list cannot teach.

Used in

Stories

(1)

生日的惊喜
3 min read · Core 1000

Grammar articles

(2)

Add to review queue

Track this word in your spaced-repetition queue and be tested on it at the right interval.

Go to my review queue

Mandarin · Free printables

特别: worksheet, infographic and listicle

Free printable study downloads for the Mandarin word "特别" (especially, particularly, special): a worksheet with the answer key built in, an infographic, and a sentence listicle. Open any one to view, print or save.

Free for members

The printable worksheets, infographics and PDFs are free with an account. Start a free week and download as many as you like.

Start your free week

This word is part of lesson 10.