Translation guide
The English adverb 'particularly' is used to single out something as more relevant, to emphasize a quality, or to mean 'in detail'. Japanese expresses these ideas with different adverbs and patterns depending on the nuance.
To single out one thing as standing out from the rest, often meaning 'especially' or 'in particular'.
The most common and versatile equivalent. Works in both spoken and written Japanese.
私は特にこの映画が好きです。
I particularly like this movie.
今日は特に暑い。
It's particularly hot today.
Slightly more formal/literary than 特に. Emphasizes distinction.
この問題はとりわけ重要だ。
This issue is particularly important.
Literally 'among them', used to pick out one item from a group.
果物の中で、なかでもイチゴが好きです。
Among fruits, I particularly like strawberries.
To emphasize the extent of a quality, similar to 'very' or 'extremely'.
Also used for degree, but often combined with other intensifiers for stronger emphasis.
彼は特に背が高いわけではない。
He isn't particularly tall.
Means 'exceptionally' or 'particularly' when describing a quality. Often used in set phrases like 格別おいしい.
Literary/formal expression meaning 'unexpectedly' or 'particularly'.
To describe something in a detailed or specific manner.
Adverbial form of 詳しい (detailed). Used when 'particularly' means 'in detail'.
その点について詳しく説明してください。
Please explain that point particularly (in detail).
Means 'concretely' or 'specifically', often used when asking for particulars.
何が問題なのか、具体的に教えてください。
Tell me particularly (specifically) what the problem is.
To express a lack of strong feeling or distinction, often in negative sentences.
The most common casual way to say 'not particularly'. 別に means 'separately' or 'particularly' in negative contexts.
More neutral/standard than 別に. Used in both speech and writing.
特に問題はありません。
There's no particular problem.
Means 'not very' or 'not particularly'. Slightly more emphatic than 特に.
大して面白くない。
It's not particularly interesting.
特に is the standard word for 'particularly' in positive and negative sentences. 別に is used almost exclusively in negative sentences to mean 'not particularly' and carries a casual, sometimes dismissive tone. Avoid 別に in formal writing.
特に好きな食べ物は寿司です。
My particularly favorite food is sushi.
別に好きじゃない。
I don't particularly like it.
English 'particularly' before adjectives is often just 特に, but overusing it can sound unnatural. In many cases, Japanese prefers a simple adjective or a different intensifier like とても or かなり. For example, 'particularly interesting' is often just とても面白い rather than 特に面白い, unless you are contrasting with other things.
彼女は特に数学が得意だ。
She is particularly good at math.
特に理由はありますか？
Do you have any particular reason?
今日の料理は格別おいしい。
Today's dish is particularly delicious.
His speech was particularly moving.