Skip to content
道Nihongo Path
殊

殊·especially, differ

On-yomi
シュ
Kun-yomi
こと

By Nihongo PathUpdated

Stroke order

Write it in this order; the numbers mark where each stroke starts.

10 strokes, numbered in writing order. Data: KanjiVG (CC BY-SA 3.0).

Common words

WordReadingMeaning
特殊とくしゅspecial, peculiar
殊にことにespecially, particularly
殊更ことさらdeliberately, especially
殊勝しゅしょうadmirable, commendable

Example sentences

  1. これは特殊な機械です。

    これはとくしゅなきかいです。

    This is a specialized machine.

  2. 今年の夏は殊に暑い。

    ことしのなつはことにあつい。

    This summer is especially hot.

  3. 殊更に大きな声で話す必要はない。

    ことさらにおおきなこえではなすひつようはない。

    There's no need to speak so pointedly loudly.

Similar-looking kanji

Do not confuse these on the exam.

Common mistakes

  • Reading 特殊 as とくじゅ — it is とくしゅ
  • Reading 殊に as しゅに — the kun-reading gives ことに

Memory aid

Picture it

The bone radical 歹 beside 朱 red: something cut off and set apart from the rest — hence 'special, different'.

Vocabulary using this kanji

Quick check

1 / 2Multiple choiceDifficulty 4 of 5

What does the kanji 殊 mean?