Similarities Between 尤其 (yóu qí) and 特别 (tè bié)Both are adverbs that emphasize something special.Both are usually placed in the latter part of a sentence.Example sentence:
我对音乐很感兴趣，尤其/特别是贝多芬的音乐，我喜欢极了。Wǒ duì yīnyuè hěn gǎn xìngqù, yóu qí/tè bié shì Bèi duō fēn de yīnyuè, wǒ xǐhuān jíle.I am very interested in music, especially Beethoven’s music, I like it a lot.
Difference 1 - Using "是"shì),尤其 (yóu qí) can sometimes be followed by 是 (shì), but it’s not always necessary.特别 (tè bié) usually needs to be followed by 是 (shì) when used as an adverb.Example sentence 1:
这次活动办得不错，尤其王老师讲的那个故事，给我留下很深的印象。Zhè cì huódòng bàn de bùcuò, yóu qí Wáng lǎoshī jiǎng de nàgè gùshì, gěi wǒ liúxià hěn shēn de yìnxiàng.This event was well organized, especially the story that Teacher Wang told, it left a deep impression on me.Example sentence 2:
这次活动办得不错，尤其/特别是王老师讲的那个故事，给我留下很深的印象。Zhè cì huódòng bàn de bùcuò, yóu qí/tè bié shì Wáng lǎoshī jiǎng de nàgè gùshì, gěi wǒ liúxià hěn shēn de yìnxiàng.This event was well organized, especially Teacher Wang’s story, it left a deep impression on me.
Difference 2 - 特别 (tè bié) as an Adverb特别 (tè bié) can mean "very" or "especially", but 尤其 (yóu qí) cannot.Example sentence:
那本小说讲了一个爱情故事，很浪漫，让人特别感动。Nà běn xiǎoshuō jiǎngle yīgè àiqíng gùshì, hěn làngmàn, ràng rén tè bié gǎndòng.The novel told a love story, very romantic, and it was especially moving.
Difference 3 - 特别 (tè bié) as an Adjective特别 (tè bié) can be used as an adjective meaning "special" or "different from usual."尤其 (yóu qí) does not have this meaning.Example sentence:
如果您有什么特别要求或任何不清楚的地方，请和我们联系。Rúguǒ nín yǒu shénme tè bié yāoqiú huò rènhé bù qīngchǔ de dìfāng, qǐng hé wǒmen liánxì.If you have any special requests or anything unclear, please contact us.
Quick Recap
尤其 (yóu qí) emphasizes something special, but cannot mean "very" or "different from the rest."
特别 (tè bié) is often used with 是 (shì), can mean "very" or "especially," and can also be used as an adjective to describe something unique or out of the ordinary.
Practice Using 尤其 (yóu qí) and 特别 (tè bié)Now that you know the differences, try using 尤其 (yóu qí) and 特别 (tè bié) in your own sentences!Write your examples in the comments below.
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