別に

Hello, you have come here looking for the meaning of the word 別に. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word 別に, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say 別に in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word 別に you have here. The definition of the word 別に will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition of別に, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.

Japanese

Kanji in this term
別
べつ
Grade: 4
on'yomi

Etymology

別 (betsu, “separate”) + に (ni, particle), literally separately, used idiomatically to mean something closer to especially.[1][2] Compare Korean 별로 (byeollo).

Pronunciation

Interjection

別(べつ)に • (betsu ni) 

  1. nothing special; not really
    「店(みせ)に行(い)きたい？」「いや、別(べつ)に。」
    “Mise ni ikitai?”“Iya, betsu ni.”
    "Do you want to go to the store?" "Eh, not really."

Usage notes

Generally only used in negative contexts. When used on its own, the negative sense is implied. Compare the meaning and usage of the English expression that much.

Adverb

別(べつ)に • (betsu ni) 

  1. (not) especially, particularly
    別(べつ)に悪(わる)くない。
    Betsu ni warukunai.
    Not too bad.
    別(べつ)にいいじゃん。
    Betsu ni ii jan.
    So what? It's OK.

Usage notes

When used without an explicit negative polarity item, some negative meaning is generally implied: 別にいい (betsu ni ii, “ especially , acceptably good”). Compare 全然(ぜんぜん) (zenzen, “ at all; totally”).

See also

References

  1. ^ Shōgaku Tosho (1988) 国語大辞典（新装版） [Unabridged Dictionary of Japanese (Revised Edition)] (in Japanese), Tōkyō: Shogakukan, →ISBN
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Matsumura, Akira, editor (2006), 大辞林 [Daijirin] (in Japanese), Third edition, Tokyo: Sanseidō, →ISBN
Wikious
Boobota
Sagapedia