Particular Meaning in English

word

US

/ˌpɑˈtɪkjəɫɝ/

pur-TIK-yuh-lur

UK

/pətˈɪkjʊlɐ/

puh-TIK-yuh-luh

Definition

Used to talk about one specific person, thing, or detail rather than others. It can also mean special or unusual, or describe someone who is very careful and selective about what they like.

Usage & Nuances

Very common before nouns: 'a particular reason', 'this particular book'. After 'be', it often means 'picky': 'He's very particular about food.' Do not confuse it with 'special' all the time; often it simply means 'specific'.

• Spanish: particular - específico
• Portuguese (BR): particular - específico
• Portuguese (PT): particular - específico
• Chinese (Simplified): 特定的 - 特别的 - 挑剔的
• Chinese (Traditional): 特定的 - 特別的 - 挑剔的
• Hindi: विशेष - खास - चुस्त (पसंद के मामले में)
• Arabic: معيّن - خاص - دقيق في اختياراته
• Bengali: নির্দিষ্ট - বিশেষ (অস্বাভাবিক) - খুঁতখুঁতে (ব্যক্তি)
• Russian: конкретный - определённый - разборчивый (человек)
• Japanese: 特定の - 特別な（珍しい／気難しい）
• Vietnamese: cụ thể - đặc biệt (khác thường) - kén chọn (về người)
• Korean: 특정한 - 특별한 (이상한) - 까다로운 (사람)
• Turkish: belirli - özel (alışılmadık) - titiz (kişi)
• Urdu: خاص - معین (چیز/شخص کے لیے) - بہت چنیدہ (شخص کے بارے میں)
• Indonesian: tertentu - khusus (tidak biasa) - rewel (tentang orang)

Example Sentences

I need this particular book for class.

basic

Is there any particular reason you're late?

basic

She is very particular about her clothes.

basic

He's particular about how his coffee is made.

natural

Nothing particular happened—we just stayed home and relaxed.

natural

I'm not looking for anything fancy—just this particular model.

natural