Meaning
Special, unique, particular. Used for things set apart from the usual — special qualities, services, or treatment.
- 特別 — special
- 特徴 — characteristic; feature
- 特急 — limited express (train)
- 特価 — special price
- 特集 — feature article; special edition
- 特許 — patent
Formed from the 牛 radical (left-side form: 牜(うしへん)) plus the sound element 寺. The idea is “distinct among cattle” → “set apart” → special. You’ll see トク consistently in compounds like 特別 and 特徴.
今日は 特別なイベントがあります。
There is a special event today.
この商品の特徴は、軽さです。
The product’s distinctive feature is its light weight.
特急で 東京まで行きます。
I’ll take the limited express to Tokyo.
🎧 The on‑yomi is トク and is used in nearly all common words (特別, 特徴, 特急). There is no commonly used kun‑yomi in modern Japanese.