特意
How to Understand
特意 means 'on purpose' or 'intentionally,' indicating that an action was done with a specific intention or goal in mind. It emphasizes the deliberate nature of the action, distinguishing it from accidental or routine behavior.
The character 特 (tè) means 'special' or 'particular,' and 意 (yì) means 'intention' or 'meaning.' Together, they convey the idea of doing something with a special intention or purpose, rather than by chance or habit.
特意 is commonly used in daily conversations to highlight someone's effort or care, such as when someone goes out of their way to do something for another person. It often appears in expressions like “特意来” (tè yì lái), meaning 'came on purpose,' and reflects a cultural value of consideration and thoughtfulness in interpersonal relationships.