Usage note
“特殊”用来形容和一般情况不一样的人或事物。
“Tè shū” yòng lái xíngróng hé yībān qíngkuàng bù yīyàng de rén huò shìwù.
"Special" is used to describe people or things that are different from the usual situation.
Context note
在学校里，老师会特别关心有特殊需要的学生。
Zài xuéxiào lǐ, lǎoshī huì tèbié guānxīn yǒu tèshū xūyào de xuéshēng.
At school, teachers pay special attention to students with special needs.
5 examples
今天是我的生日，妈妈做了一顿特殊的晚餐。
jīn tiān shì wǒ de shēng rì， mā ma zuò le yí dùn tè shū de wǎn cān。
Today is my birthday, Mom made a special dinner.
这只小狗有特殊的本领，会帮主人拿东西。
zhè zhī xiǎo gǒu yǒu tè shū de běn lǐng， huì bāng zhǔ rén ná dōng xī。
This puppy has a special skill; it can help its owner fetch things.
老师给我们布置了一个特殊的作业。
lǎo shī gěi wǒ men bù zhì le yí gè tè shū de zuò yè。
The teacher gave us a special assignment.
这个节日对大家来说很特殊。
zhè ge jié rì duì dà jiā lái shuō hěn tè shū。
This holiday is very special to everyone.
他有一双特殊的鞋子，可以跑得很快。
tā yǒu yì shuāng tè shū de xié zǐ， kě yǐ pǎo dé hěn kuài。
He has a special pair of shoes that can run very fast.
5 mini stories
小明有一只特殊的小猫，它会用爪子画画。
xiǎo míng yǒu yì zhī tè shū de xiǎo māo， tā huì yòng zhuǎ zi huà huà。
Xiao Ming has a special kitten that can draw with its paws.
今天学校有特殊活动，大家一起唱歌跳舞。
jīn tiān xué xiào yǒu tè shū huó dòng， dà jiā yì qǐ chàng gē tiào wǔ。
Today there is a special activity at school; everyone sings and dances together.
小红收到一份特殊的礼物，是一本故事书。
xiǎo hóng shōu dào yí fèn tè shū de lǐ wù， shì yì běn gù shì shū。
Xiao Hong received a special gift, which is a storybook.
这个公园里有一棵特殊的树，树上开满了花。
zhè ge gōng yuán lǐ yǒu yì kē tè shū de shù， shù shàng kāi mǎn le huā。
There is a special tree in this park, covered with flowers.
小华有一个特殊的朋友，是一只小鸟。
xiǎo huá yǒu yí gè tè shū de péng yǒu， shì yì zhī xiǎo niǎo。
Xiao Hua has a special friend, which is a little bird.
Mini dialogue
生日礼物
A
今天是一个特殊的日子。
Jīntiān shì yí gè tèshū de rìzi.
Today is a special day.
B
是的，因为是我的生日。
Shì de, yīnwèi shì wǒ de shēngrì.
Yes, because it's my birthday.
新同学
A
我们班来了一位特殊的朋友。
Wǒmen bān lái le yí wèi tèshū de péngyou.
A special friend has come to our class.
B
真的吗？他有什么特殊的地方？
Zhēn de ma? Tā yǒu shénme tèshū de dìfang?
Really? What's special about him?
Related words and contrasts
similar
特别
tè bié
special, especially
特别 is more common and can mean 'especially', while 特殊 is more formal.
opposite
一般
yī bān
ordinary, general
一般 means ordinary, the opposite of special.
opposite
平常
píng cháng
usual, common
平常 means usual, contrasting with special.