särskild

Särskild is a Swedish adjective meaning special, particular, or distinct. It is used before nouns to indicate that something is set apart from the ordinary or general. Common examples include särskilda behov (special needs), en särskild uppgift (a special task), and ett särskilt fall (a particular case). In everyday language it often signals a nuance of importance, exceptionalism, or specificity, and it is frequently found in formal, administrative, or legal contexts.

Inflection and usage: In singular, common gender the form is særskild (en särskild bil). In singular, neuter gender the form is särskilt (ett särskilt uppdrag). In plural the form is särskilda (särskilda regler). The word is closely related to the adverb särskilt, which means especially or particularly, as in Det är särskilt viktigt (It is especially important). While särskild modifies a noun, särskilt functions to modify adjectives or verbs.

Etymology and nuance: Särskild derives from the prefix sär- meaning apart or separate, together with skild (“distinguished” or “separated”). The term conveys a sense of distinction or exception and is common in official, administrative, and juridical language. It is often contrasted with mer allmän eller vardaglig: medan särskild marks something marked off or singled out, words like specifik or special can carry slightly different shades of meaning depending on context.

See also: särskilt, specifik, special.