別に

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. Compare Korean 별로 (byeollo).

Pronunciation

• (Tokyo) べつに [bètsú ní] (Heiban – [0])
• IPA^(key): [be̞t͡sɨ ɲ̟i]

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 is sense implied. Compare the meaning and usage of the English expression that much.