特别是...
Reach for this when you've described a group and want to single out one member as the standout case — 'especially.' Used to draw extra attention to a specific item within a broader statement: 'I like fruit, especially mangoes,' 'It's been hot this summer, especially in August.' Neutral register, works in casual speech, writing, news, and analysis. Often paired with a preceding general statement that sets the field 特别是 then narrows.
Structure
[General statement], 特别是 + [highlighted item/case].
tèbié shì
How to Think About It
Think of it as a spotlight. The first part of the sentence is a stage with several things on it; 特别是 points the light at one of them. The highlighted item must already belong to the group you just named — you can't introduce something brand new. The standout case isn't a contradiction; it's the strongest example.
Examples
我喜欢吃水果，特别是西瓜。
Wǒ xǐhuān chī shuǐguǒ, tèbié shì xīguā.
I like fruit, especially watermelon.
今年夏天很热，特别是七月。
Jīnnián xiàtiān hěn rè, tèbié shì qī yuè.
This summer has been hot, especially July.
中国菜很好吃，特别是四川菜。
Zhōngguó cài hěn hǎochī, tèbié shì Sìchuān cài.
Chinese food is delicious, especially Sichuan food.
周末路上人很多，特别是星期六晚上。
Zhōumò lùshang rén hěn duō, tèbié shì xīngqīliù wǎnshàng.
There are a lot of people on the roads on weekends, especially Saturday nights.
Common Mistake
Learners try to use 特别是 as a stand-alone 'especially' at the start of a sentence with no prior context. It needs a preceding general statement for the spotlight to make sense.
特别是我喜欢芒果。
我喜欢水果，特别是芒果。
Don't Confuse With
尤其是...
Near-synonym, slightly more formal/written. 尤其是 fits essays and reports; 特别是 works everywhere including casual speech.
特别 + Adjective
Different use of 特别 — here it means 'particularly/very' modifying an adjective (特别好 = 'particularly good'). Doesn't highlight a member of a group.
比如...
'For example...' — gives an illustration, not a standout. 特别是 ranks one case above the others; 比如 just picks any sample.
Practice
Fill in: 我喜欢运动，____足球。
Show answer
特别是
Translate to Chinese: I like Chinese cities, especially Shanghai.
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我喜欢中国的城市，特别是上海。
Arrange: 特别 / 是 / ，/ 早上 / 我 / 累 / 很
Show answer
我很累，特别是早上。
Use 特别是 to single out one favorite from a category you enjoy.
Show answer
我喜欢看电影，特别是法国电影。
Hear It in Real Episodes
This pattern appears in 1 Fluentide episode: