“toku ni / toriwake / koto ni” — Especially / In Particular [JLPT N2]

Content by NTJ Kuma · Nihongo to Japan editorial team · Updated July 27, 2026

“Especially important,” “nothing in particular” — three ways to say “especially,” with nuance and examples. (JLPT N2)

「果物、特にいちごが好き」 — singling one out from a whole category

Chatting about likes, 「果物、特にいちごが好き」 (I like fruit, especially strawberries) — 「特に・とりわけ・殊に」 all mean especially, particularly, used to single out one item from a group/whole. The three “especially”s are close in meaning but differ in register and strength: 特に is most general, とりわけ written and stronger, 殊に the most literary. This guide covers their division of labor and reminds you of the common 「特に〜ない = nothing in particular.」

Core: singling out one item from the whole

These three adverbs all mean “within a group/whole, especially ～ (that item stands out most)”:

• 特に = especially, particularly (most general): 野菜の中で、特にトマトが好きだ (among vegetables, I especially like tomatoes).
• とりわけ = especially, above all (written, stronger): 今年の夏は、とりわけ暑い (this summer is especially hot).
• 殊に（ことに）= especially (literary, written): 殊に優れた作品だ (an especially fine work).

Feel: “especially, particularly” — the core is singling out one item from a whole category for emphasis (not just the whole, this one especially). The three escalate in strength/register: 特に (general) ＜ とりわけ (written, stronger) ＜ 殊に (most literary). Also, 「特に」 is often used as 「特に〜ない」 = nothing in particular.

How it attaches

Example sentences

• スポーツ、特にサッカーが得意だ。(Sports, especially soccer, I'm good at.) — singling out
• 「何か問題ある?」「いや、特にない」(“Any problems?” “No, nothing in particular.”) — 特に〜ない
• 今年は災害が多く、とりわけ水害がひどかった。(This year had many disasters; the flooding especially was severe.) — written emphasis
• 彼の努力は、殊に称賛に値する。(His effort especially deserves praise.) — literary
• この店の料理は、特にデザートが評判だ。(This shop's food, especially the desserts, is well regarded.) — singling out

⚠️ Where learners slip up

① 「特に〜ない」 = nothing/not in particular; don't miss this common use. Besides the affirmative “especially ～ (singling out an item),” 「特に」 has a very common negative combo 「特に〜ない」 = “nothing in particular, not particularly”: 「何か希望は?」「特にありません (any wishes? / nothing in particular)」, 特に問題ない (no particular problem), 特に理由はない (no particular reason). Here 「特に」 means “(as for anything standing out/special,) there isn't,” a very common everyday reply (especially when asked “is there any ～,” 「特にない」 is a natural answer). Don't remember only “特に = especially” — also remember “特に〜ない = nothing in particular.” (Note: とりわけ・殊に lack this 「〜ない」 use — it's unique to 「特に.」)

② 「とりわけ」 is more written and stronger than 「特に.」 All three mean “especially,” but differ in strength and register. 「特に」 = especially, particularly (most general, neutral): usable in speech or writing, the most common “especially,” neutral in degree: 特に好きだ (especially like it). 「とりわけ」 = especially, above all (written, stronger): more written, stronger in tone than 「特に,」 foregrounding “among many, this one especially stands out”: 多くの名作の中でも、とりわけ優れている (among many masterpieces, especially outstanding — stressing degree). It's mostly for writing, formal narration. Test: everyday, general “especially” → 特に; written, to stress “especially, standing out” → とりわけ. 「とりわけ」 sounds a bit formal in speech.

③ 「殊に（ことに）」 is the most literary, written; rare in daily use. 「殊に」 also means “especially,” but is the most literary, written, formal, with a classical, bookish air, mostly in writing, formal narration, literature: 殊に厳しい寒さ (especially severe cold), 殊に優れた才能 (especially outstanding talent). It's almost never used in everyday speech (would sound too bookish). The register ladder of the three: 特に (speech or writing, most general) ＜ とりわけ (written, stronger) ＜ 殊に (most literary). So for “especially,” everyday use 「特に」 (safest, most general); for written emphasis use 「とりわけ」; 「殊に」 is a literary, literary-flavored expression, rare in ordinary writing. Register test: everyday → 特に, written emphasis → とりわけ, literary → 殊に.

🔄 Nuance & comparison: 特に／とりわけ／殊に／中でも

💡 How to remember this

「特に・とりわけ・殊に」 all mean especially, particularly (singling out one item from the whole), differing in register and strength — three points: ① 「特に」 is most general — usable in speech or writing, the safest “especially,” with the very common 「特に〜ない = nothing in particular」 (answering 「特にない」 when asked “is there any ～”); ② 「とりわけ」 is written, stronger — foregrounding “especially standing out,” more formal than 特に; ③ 「殊に」 is the most literary — for literary, formal writing, rare in daily use. Register ladder: 特に ＜ とりわけ ＜ 殊に (more literary toward the right). For everyday “especially,” 「特に」 is the way; to stress “especially” in writing use 「とりわけ」; 「殊に」 carries a literary flavor. Also, 「中でも (especially among them)」 is handy, singling out one more from an already-mentioned group.

❓ FAQ

Q: 「特に」「とりわけ」「殊に」 all mean ‘especially' — how do I choose?

The three are close in meaning (all “singling out one item from the whole for emphasis”), differing in register and strength; choose by this ladder: 「特に」 = especially, particularly (most general, neutral): usable in speech or writing, the most common, safest “especially,” the everyday first choice: 果物の中で、特にりんごが好き (among fruit, especially like apples), この点が特に重要だ (this point is especially important). Neutral in degree, fitting any setting. 「とりわけ」 = especially, above all (written, stronger): more written, stronger in tone than 「特に,」 foregrounding “among many, this one is especially, particularly outstanding,” mostly for writing, formal narration: 数ある作品の中でも、とりわけ印象に残る一作 (among many works, an especially memorable one). It stresses a high degree; a bit formal in speech. 「殊に（ことに）」 = especially (most literary, written): the most literary, literary-flavored, formal, with a classical bookish air, mostly in writing, literary works: 殊に優れた才能の持ち主 (a person of especially outstanding talent). Almost never in everyday speech (too bookish). So the test: everyday conversation, general writing → 特に (most general); written text, to stress “especially standing out” → とりわけ; literary, very formal writing → 殊に. Simple register ladder: 特に (general) ＜ とりわけ (written emphasis) ＜ 殊に (most literary). In 90% of everyday cases, 「特に」 is the way.

Q: What does 「特に〜ない」 mean? Is it related to 「特に = especially」?

「特に〜ない」 = “nothing in particular, not particularly,” a very common negative use of 「特に,」 the flip side of the same word as the affirmative 「特に = especially.」 Affirmative use 「特に = especially, particularly」: singling out one item from the whole, “especially ～”: 特に好きなのは寿司だ (what I especially like is sushi). Negative use 「特に〜ない」 = nothing in particular, not particularly: means “(as for anything special/standing out,) there isn't,” used to mildly negate, indicate nothing special: 「何か質問は?」「特にありません (any questions? / nothing in particular)」, 「今日どうだった?」「特に何もなかった (how was today? / nothing in particular)」, 特に問題ない (no particular problem), 特に行きたくない (don't particularly want to go). This 「特に〜ない」 appears extremely often in everyday conversation — especially when asked “is there any ～, do you want to ～, how was it,” 「特にない／特に〜ない」 is a natural, common reply (meaning “nothing special to say/no particular thoughts”). Conceptually: affirmative 「特に」 is “especially singling out an item (there's a special one),” negative 「特に〜ない」 is “(there isn't) a special one (nothing in particular)” — both revolve around the core “special, standing out,” one saying “there's a special one,” one saying “there's nothing special.” So learning 「特に,」 always remember both: 特に ＋ affirmative = especially ～; 特に ＋ negative = nothing in particular. (Note: this 「〜ない」 use is unique to 「特に」; とりわけ・殊に lack it.)

🖊️ Practice Questions (5)

Q1. 「スポーツの中で、___サッカーが好きだ。」(especially like soccer)

(A) 特に　(B) 別に　(C) 一向に　(D) いかに

Q2. What is the register of 「とりわけ」?

(A) Written (especially, with a stronger tone)

(B) Children's speech

(C) Internet slang

(D) Command form

Q3. What does 「特にありません」 mean?

(A) Nothing in particular (a euphemistic answer)

(B) There are many

(C) All of them

(D) Must have

Q4. What is the function of 「特に」?

(A) To single out one item from a group

(B) Shows contrast

(C) Shows cause-effect

(D) Shows time

Q5. Which usage is natural?

(A) 今年はとりわけ寒い。　(B) とりわけ行く(動作のみ)。

(C) 殊にを食べる。　(D) 特にだ高い。

Answer Explanations

1. (A) 特に ── Especially like soccer.

2. (A) ── Written (especially, stronger tone).

3. (A) ── Nothing in particular.

4. (A) ── To single out one item from a group.

5. (A) ── 「今年はとりわけ寒い」 is correct.