() — especially, particularly; specifically

Definition

特 (tè) is a short, written adverb meaning 'especially / particularly' — used in formal style and often attached to two-character words. As a standalone adverb, 特别 and 尤其 are the more common everyday choices.

adverb
especiallyparticularlyspecifically

Examples

  • Tā jīn tiān tè gāo xìng.
    He is especially happy today.
  • Zhè ge fú hào tè zhǐ mǒu zhǒng yì yì.
    This symbol specifically refers to a certain meaning.
  • Tā tè shàn cháng huà huà.
    She is especially good at drawing.

Origin

Sound + meaning
六书liùshū
形声xíngshēng

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
niúox
Sound part声符shēngfú
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The shape combines 牛 (ox) with 寺, which gives the pronunciation; it originally meant a large bull.

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