特种 (tè zhǒng) — special type; particular kind | tongtong Chinese Dictionary

Definition

特种 (tèzhǒng) is a formal modifier meaning 'special / specialized' — used mainly as a prefix for military, police, or technical categories (e.g. 特种兵, 特种设备), unlike plain 特别 which describes something unusually good or different.

noun

special typeparticular kind

Examples

特种。
Zhè zhǒng tè zhǒng wǔ qì wēi lì hěn dà.
This special type of weapon is very powerful.
，。
Tā shì yì míng tè zhǒng bīng, shòu guò zhuān yè xùn liàn.
He is a special forces soldier, professionally trained.
特种。
Zhè jiā gōng sī zhuān mén shēng chǎn tè zhǒng shè bèi.
This company specializes in manufacturing special equipment.

Origin

Compound word

构词法gòucífǎ

偏正piānzhèngModifier + head

The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.

特tèspecial

特 means special and 种 means kind, so the word is a special kind.

Characters in this word

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

牛寺特

Meaning part形符xíngfú

Sound part声符shēngfú

寺

寺sì特tè

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.

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

禾中种

Meaning part形符xíngfú

禾禾hérice

Sound part声符shēngfú

中

中zhōng种zhǒng

Same sound today

种 pairs 禾, which shows rice or grain and fits meanings like plant and seed, with 中, which gives its sound.

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