især

Især is a Danish adverb meaning "especially" or "in particular." It is used to single out a person, thing, or aspect as more significant within the context of a statement. The word is usually placed directly before the element it emphasizes, for example: "Især børnene nød festen" (The children, especially, enjoyed the party) or "Især i de senere år har interessen vokset" (Especially in recent years, interest has grown). Især can introduce a broader statement that highlights a trend or condition.

Etymology and related terms: The standard spelling is især. Historically the form appeared as two words, "i sær," meaning "in particular" or "as such." The two-word form is now largely obsolete in contemporary Danish. In related Scandinavian languages, cognates exist: Norwegian uses især with the same meaning, while Swedish uses särskilt as the closest everyday equivalent.

Usage notes: Især is common in both spoken and written Danish, including journalism, academic writing, and everyday conversation. It functions as a strong focalizer and is often preferred when the speaker wants to underline a standout element. In many contexts især can be replaced by særligt or specielt, but with a slightly different nuance: især tends to mark a more pronounced emphasis on the specific item.