べつに vs. とくに: These Words Native Speakers Often Use
What is the difference between “別に(betsuni) and 特に(tokuni)”? Which is used as casual? After reading this, you would be answering this question. Let me introduce what their subtle differences are and how you correctly use them such as native speakers today!
別に (betsuni) / 特に (tokuni)
Nothing, Whatever, I don’t mind., Nothing special, etc / 没什么, 没什么特别的 / 별로, 특히 / Không có gì đặc biệt, Không có gì đặc biệt
“別に(betsuni) and 特に(tokuni)” mean “Nothing, whatever, I don’t mind, Nothing special, etc” and which has been used as the meaning of “something is not important what is”. Although, “特に” has the other meaning which is “especially”, I would explain what the difference between these are today. The basic way to use it is “別にどっちでもいい。(I don’t mind.)”, “特にどっちでもいいです。(I don’t mind.)” etc. For instance, someone asks you that “今夜は外食する？それとも家で食べる？(Do you want to eat out or stay in tonight?)” and your answer would be “別にどっちでもいい。(I don’t mind.)” or “特にどっちでもいいです。(I don’t mind.)”. And someone asks you that “昨日は何してたの？(What did you do yesterday?)” and your answer would be that “別に何も。(Nothing special.)” or “特に何も。(Nothing special.)”, etc. The tips for using them are that “別に” is used as “CASUAL” and “特に” is used as “MORE POLITE THAN 別に”. So, if native speakers ask you that “どうしたの？(What’s wrong?)” and your answer would be “別に(Nothing or Whatever.)”, we think you absolutely get angry at something or something. However, if your answer would be “特に”, that wouldn’t be. But it depends on how you answer though. Lastly, we usually use “別に” to our close friends. So, why don’t you use “別に” to your close friends or someone which sounds like native speakers.
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Sample
yuka昨日は何してたの？ (What did you do yesterday?) (你昨天做什么了？) (어제 뭐 했어?) (Hôm qua bạn đã làm gì?) (kinō wa nani shiteta no?)
tatsuya別に何も。 (Nothing special.) (没干什么。) (딱히 아무것도 안 했어.) (Cũng không có gì.) (betsuni nani mo.)
yuka昨日は何してたの？ (What did you do yesterday?) (你昨天做什么了？) (어제 뭐 했어?) (Hôm qua bạn đã làm gì?) (kinō wa nani shi teta no?)
tatsuya特に何もしてないよ。 (Nothing special.) (我没有做任何特别的事情。) (특별히 아무것도 하지 않았어.) (Cũng không làm gì đặc biệt cả.) (tokuni nani mo shitenai yo.)
tatsuya何かしたいことある？ (Is there anything you want to do?) (你有什么想做的吗？) (뭔가 하고 싶은 것 있어?) (Bạn có điều gì muốn làm không?) (nanika shitai koto aru?)
yuka別に・・・ (Nothing …) (并没有……) (별로…) (Cũng Không có gì…) (betsuni…)
tatsuya何かしたいことある？ (Is there anything you want to do?) (你有什么想做的吗？) (뭔가 하고 싶은 것 있어?) (Bạn có điều gì muốn làm không?) (nanika shitai koto aru?)
yukaんー、特にないかなー・・・草 (Well, nothing …hehe) (嗯，我没有什么特别想做的啦……哈哈) (응, 특별히는 없는데… 하하.) (Hừmm, cũng không có gì muốn làm cả… Haha) (n-, tokuni nai ka na-. kusa)
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