特 means “special”

とく · toku

On'yomi (Chinese reading)

トク

JLPT N4 · Taught in grade 4 · 10 strokes

The story

The bull (牛) of the temple (寺) herd: the one animal too fine for the plow, set apart for ceremony. 特 still marks what stands apart: 特別 special, 特急 the express train that skips every small station.

Used in 特別 (tokubetsu, special), 特に (tokuni, especially), and 特急 (tokkyuu, limited express train)

More from Work & Industry

• 工 craft
• 働 work
• 仕 serve
• 事 matter
• 者 person
• 合 fit
• 業 business
• 員 member
• 代 generation
• 主 main
• 不 not
• 作 make

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Readings from KANJIDIC2, © EDRDG, CC BY-SA.