Explanation at your level:
You use this word to say you do something for one reason. If you go to the library 专门 to study, you only go there to study. It is a very helpful word for telling people your plans.
When you want to say you did something just for someone, use 专门. For example, 'I 专门 cooked this for you.' It shows you were thinking about them when you made the food.
This word is great for explaining your schedule. If you say 'I 专门 set aside time for this,' you are showing that you are organized and focused. It is a common way to show professional dedication in a workplace.
At this level, you can use 专门 to contrast intentions. You might say, 'I didn't come here by chance; I came 专门 to discuss this issue.' It adds a layer of emphasis to your statement that makes your point very clear.
In academic or high-level professional contexts, 专门 implies a level of expertise. It is often used to describe 'specialized' equipment or 'dedicated' resources. It highlights that the object or action was engineered for a specific, singular utility.
Mastery of this word involves understanding its nuance in social etiquette. Saying you did something 专门 for someone is a high compliment. It signifies that your time and effort were curated exclusively for their benefit, reflecting deep consideration and intentionality.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Means specifically or dedicated.
- Used as an adverb before verbs.
- Implies intentionality and focus.
- Very useful in daily and professional life.
When you use the word 专门, you are telling someone that you have a very specific goal. Think of it as the difference between 'I went to the store' and 'I went to the store specifically for milk.' It highlights your intention.
It is a very useful word because it helps clarify your actions to others. Whether you are studying, working, or just hanging out, using this word shows that you are focused on one main task.
The word 专门 comes from Chinese roots. The character 专 (zhuān) means 'sole' or 'concentrated,' while 门 (mén) can imply a 'gate' or a 'field of study.' Together, they describe focusing on one 'gate' or area.
Historically, this term was used to describe scholars who focused on one specific classic or trade. Over time, it evolved to describe any action taken with a singular, deliberate purpose in daily life.
You use 专门 right before the verb you are describing. For example, 'I 专门 came to see you' means your only reason for coming was to see that person.
It works well in both casual and formal settings. In business, you might say, 'We 专门 created this software for your team,' which sounds professional and dedicated.
While 专门 is a direct adverb, it appears in phrases like 专门利人 (specifically benefiting others). This highlights a selfless, dedicated approach to helping people.
Another common expression is 专门研究, which means to conduct specialized research. It shows that someone is an expert who focuses their entire energy on one subject.
In terms of grammar, 专门 acts as an adverbial modifier. It should always be placed before the verb. It does not change based on tense or subject.
The pronunciation is 'jwan-men'. The 'zhu' sound is similar to the 'j' in 'jump' but with your tongue curled back. Practice saying it slowly to get the tone right!
Fun Fact
The character 专 originally meant a spindle, implying one single thread.
Pronunciation Guide
Sounds like 'jwan men' with a soft 'j' sound.
Similar to UK, keep the 'n' sounds crisp.
Common Errors
- Mispronouncing 'zhu' as 'zu'.
- Dropping the 'n' at the end.
- Using the wrong tone.
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Easy to read
Easy to use
Commonly used
Clear
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Adverb placement
我专门去。
Prepositional phrases
为了你。
Verb modification
专门研究。
Examples by Level
我专门来看你。
I specifically came to see you.
Adverb before verb.
他专门学习中文。
He specifically studies Chinese.
Adverb before verb.
这是专门给你的。
This is specifically for you.
Used with 'for'.
我专门去买书。
I specifically went to buy books.
Action + purpose.
她专门做饭。
She specifically cooks.
Professional focus.
专门为了你。
Specifically for you.
Short phrase.
专门买的。
Specifically bought.
Passive intent.
专门等你。
Specifically waiting for you.
Action focus.
我专门为你准备了礼物。
他专门负责这个项目。
我们专门去了一趟北京。
这个工具是专门设计的。
她专门请假去旅游。
我专门给你打电话。
这是专门的会议室。
他们专门讨论这个问题。
我专门抽出时间来陪你。
这个软件是专门为学生开发的。
他专门从事法律工作。
我们专门为此开了一个会。
我专门从国外订购了这些零件。
她专门研究古代历史。
这是专门给VIP客户的通道。
我专门为了这个活动做了准备。
我并不是路过，我是专门来找你的。
这家餐厅专门提供地道的川菜。
他专门针对这个问题提出了建议。
我们专门聘请了专家来解决难题。
这个课程是专门为高级学员设置的。
我专门写了一封信表示感谢。
他们专门成立了一个小组。
这不仅是爱好，我是专门去学习的。
该机构专门致力于环境保护事业。
他专门对这一现象进行了深入分析。
这套设备是专门为极端环境研发的。
我们专门预留了预算用于研发。
她专门撰写了一篇关于此课题的论文。
这个部门专门处理紧急投诉。
我专门从百忙之中抽出时间参加。
这是专门为满足特定需求而定制的。
他专门潜心钻研这一领域多年。
这不仅是服务，更是专门定制的体验。
该方案是专门针对市场需求演变的。
我们专门设立了奖项以表彰贡献者。
她专门为此事奔波了数月。
这是专门为学术交流而搭建的平台。
他专门以这种方式表达敬意。
此举是专门为了平息争议。
Common Collocations
Idioms & Expressions
"专门利人"
Specifically benefiting others.
他总是专门利人。
formal"专心致志"
With single-minded devotion.
他专心致志地读书。
formal"术业有专攻"
Every trade has its specialty.
术业有专攻，请教专家吧。
formal"专横跋扈"
Arrogant and domineering (unrelated to purpose).
他性格专横跋扈。
formal"专职工作"
Full-time job.
这是我的专职工作。
neutral"专人专办"
Specific person for a specific task.
这件事实行专人专办。
formalEasily Confused
Both involve actions.
专门 is intentional; 顺便 is incidental.
专门去 vs 顺便去.
Both mean specifically.
特地 is more about the trip/event.
特地来看你.
Same character.
专业 is a noun/adjective.
我的专业.
Same character.
专心 is about focus.
专心听课.
Sentence Patterns
Subject + 专门 + Verb
我专门学习。
Subject + 专门 + 为了 + Object
我专门为了你。
Subject + 专门 + 负责 + Job
他专门负责销售。
Subject + 专门 + 针对 + Issue
他专门针对问题。
Subject + 专门 + 致力于 + Goal
机构专门致力于环保。
Word Family
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Related
How to Use It
8/10
Formality Scale
Common Mistakes
It is an adverb.
顺便 means 'by the way'.
It describes the action.
Can sound repetitive.
Grammar structure matters.
Tips
Memory Palace Trick
Imagine a spotlight on one task.
When Native Speakers Use It
When explaining why they are in a certain place.
Cultural Insight
Shows politeness when visiting someone.
Grammar Shortcut
Adverb + Verb.
Say It Right
Focus on the 'zhu' sound.
Don't Make This Mistake
Don't put it at the end of the sentence.
Did You Know?
It shares a character with 'Major' (专业).
Study Smart
Practice with 'I specifically...' sentences.
Tone Tip
First tone is high and flat.
Context Tip
Use it to show you are serious.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of a 'Special Man' (Zhu-an Men) doing one thing.
Visual Association
A person with a spotlight on one single item.
Word Web
Challenge
Write 5 sentences about what you do specifically for your hobbies.
Word Origin
Chinese
Original meaning: Focusing on one gate or path.
Cultural Context
None.
Commonly translated as 'specifically' or 'dedicated'.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
At work
- 专门负责
- 专门会议
- 专门项目
Visiting friends
- 专门来看你
- 专门为你带的
- 专门的时间
Studying
- 专门研究
- 专门学习
- 专门课程
Shopping
- 专门买的
- 专门定制
- 专门挑选
Conversation Starters
"你专门为了什么去过那个地方？"
"你有没有专门学习过什么技能？"
"你专门为朋友做过什么特别的事吗？"
"你现在的专业是专门为了工作选的吗？"
"你喜欢专门做一件事还是同时做很多事？"
Journal Prompts
Describe a time you went somewhere specifically for one reason.
What is something you are currently studying specifically?
Write about a gift you bought specifically for someone.
Reflect on a project you were specifically responsible for.
Frequently Asked Questions
8 questionsYes, '不专门' means not specifically.
It is neutral and used everywhere.
They are very similar, often interchangeable.
Usually no, it modifies verbs.
Yes, very frequently.
No, it is an adverb.
Yes, e.g., 'specifically to avoid'.
No, the concept is very intuitive.
Test Yourself
我 ___ 来看你。
专门 indicates specific intent.
What does 专门 mean?
It means specifically.
专门 means 'by the way'.
That is 顺便.
Word
Meaning
Clear contrast.
Subject + adverb + verb + object.
这个工具是 ___ 设计的。
专门 fits the context of design.
Which is a synonym?
特地 is a synonym.
专门 can be used as a noun.
It is an adverb.
Standard sentence structure.
他 ___ 致力于此。
专门 emphasizes dedication.
Score: /10
Summary
专门 is your go-to word whenever you want to emphasize that your actions are intentional and focused on a single, specific purpose.
- Means specifically or dedicated.
- Used as an adverb before verbs.
- Implies intentionality and focus.
- Very useful in daily and professional life.
Memory Palace Trick
Imagine a spotlight on one task.
When Native Speakers Use It
When explaining why they are in a certain place.
Cultural Insight
Shows politeness when visiting someone.
Grammar Shortcut
Adverb + Verb.
Example
我专门为他准备了这份礼物。
Related Content
This Word in Other Languages
More work words
充裕的
B2Abundant, ample, or sufficient in quantity.
事故
A2accident; mishap
依照
A2According to; in accordance with.
准确地
A2accurately, precisely
做到
A2to achieve; to accomplish
积极地
A2actively; enthusiastically
应变
B2Adaptive; capable of dealing with emergencies.
行政
A2Administration; the management of affairs.
过后
A2Afterwards; at a later or subsequent time.
赞同
A2To approve of, to endorse; to agree with or support.
