特例

• Pinyin: tè lì
• Hanzi breakdown: 特 = 牜(cow) + 寺 (temple) — special; 例 = 亻(person) + 列 (row) — example

Meaning

Special case; exception; anomaly. Something that deviates from the norm.

Used in formal contexts to describe cases that don't follow general rules. Often appears in legal, academic, or policy discussions. Emphasizes that something is outside the usual pattern.

Examples

1. 这种情况属于特例，不能用一般规定来套用。 This situation is a special case — general regulations can't be applied directly.
2. 公司原则上不允许员工在家办公，但对她开了特例。 The company doesn't allow working from home in principle, but they made an exception for her.
3. 历史上确实有成功的特例，但那不具有普遍参考价值。 There have indeed been successful exceptions in history, but they don't have universal reference value.

Usage Guide

Context: policy, legal, academic

Tone: objective

Do Say

• 这是一个特例。(This is a special case.)
• 能不能为我开个特例？(Could you make an exception for me?)

Don't Say

• 把常见情况说成'特例' (Don't call common situations 特例 — it's specifically for genuine exceptions)

Origin & History

特 means special, 例 means case or example — a special case.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal