独特
Meaning in Englishpeculiarity, uniqueness, characteristic
Animated kanji stroke order
Word context
What it means
What does 独特 mean? It denotes a quality that makes something stand out as unlike the ordinary, signaling a distinctive character. It describes characteristics, flavors, styles, or atmospheres that are inherently different from the usual and recognizable as belonging to that particular subject.
Main meanings
- Distinctive trait or quality that makes something stand out from the ordinary.
- A peculiarity or idiosyncrasy associated with a person, object, or style.
- Context-dependent nuance that can sound either neutral or positive, and sometimes slightly critical if the subject is overly idiosyncratic.
How to use it
Used to describe something that has a distinctive character setting it apart. In formal writing, 独特の modifies a noun; in casual language, 独特な is common before a noun. Predicative use with だ/です (独特だ/独特です) is also natural. It can describe a person’s demeanor, a product’s design, a place’s atmosphere, or a style of expression.
Variants and close terms
- 特有 (とくゆう) — characteristic of something;
- 個性的 (こせいてき) — expressive of individuality;
- 特異 (とくい) — unusual or exceptional;
- 普通の (ふつうの) / 一般的 (いっぱんてき) — antonyms: ordinary, general.
Composition
- 独: solitary, single;
- 特: special, particular;
- Combined meaning: a quality that makes something distinctly its own, i.e., not ordinary.
Etymology
独 = solitary, alone; 特 = special, particular; when combined in Sino-Japanese usage, they form a compound meaning distinctive or unlike others; the reading どくとく reflects the on'yomi of both kanji.
Word class
adjective (na-adjective) (形容動詞)