specialties
specialties — noun
- specialtiessingular
- specialtiesesplural
1. A well-known food, drink, or product that a particular area, restaurant, or shop
A well-known food, drink, or product that a particular area, restaurant, or shop is famous for making or selling to a high standard.
The Tainan night market sells oyster omelet, a local specialty that draws crowds each evening.
local specialty + place name pattern
Ife bought regional specialties at the Chiang Mai market, including dried fruit and handmade soaps.
regional specialties + shopping context
Henry brought back several specialty teas from his trip to the Alishan mountain region.
The coastal town of Donggang is famous for its seasonal specialty of fresh bluefin tuna.
- delicacy
specifically a fine food item, more formal
- speciality
British English spelling of same word
文法句型
be + a + specialty + of + place
specialty + noun (specialty foods / specialty shops)
用法筆記
Often appears with a geographic or establishment name: 'a regional specialty', 'the house specialty'. Frequently used about food, but also refers to craft items and souvenirs.
常見錯誤
2. A particular subject, field of work, or skill area where someone has deep knowle
A particular subject, field of work, or skill area where someone has deep knowledge and experience that sets them apart from others.
Dr. Walid's medical specialty is infectious disease, and his work has helped patients across Africa.
medical specialty + field name pattern
Jin's specialty within the architecture firm is designing earthquake-resistant schools for rural communities.
somebody's specialty + is + gerund
Tanvi's professional specialty is corporate tax law, and she advises several multinational companies.
As a child psychologist, Esme's specialty includes helping children who have experienced trauma.
- forte
more informal; implies a natural gift rather than trained knowledge
- expertise
focuses on the skill level itself, not the subject area
- specialization
implies formal training within a broader discipline
- field
broader — any area of work or study
文法句型
somebody's + specialty + is + noun/gerund
a + specialty + in + field
用法筆記
Common in professional and academic contexts. In medicine, 'specialty' refers to a certified branch of practice (cardiology, pediatrics, etc.). Often interchangeable with 'field' or 'area of expertise'.
常見錯誤
3. A carefully made or curated item that stands out for its exceptional quality, cr
A carefully made or curated item that stands out for its exceptional quality, craftsmanship, or premium materials, regardless of where it comes from.
The delicatessen window displays Italian specialties, including aged prosciutto and truffle cheese.
specialties + include pattern
Henrik's workshop produces handcrafted wooden specialties like walnut cutting boards and oak trays.
handcrafted specialties + materials
Mei-Lin's bakery offers chocolate specialties, each dusted with gold leaf and filled with premium ganache.
Mira runs an online shop that ships frozen gluten-free specialty items across the country.
- delicacy
limited to food; implies rare or expensive taste
- luxury item
focuses on high price and exclusivity rather than craftsmanship
- commodity
a mass-produced item without special qualities
文法句型
adjective + specialties
handmade + specialties
specialties + include + noun list
用法筆記
Emphasizes exceptional craftsmanship and premium materials rather than geographic origin. Unlike sense 1 (LOCAL PRODUCT), this sense does not require a connection to a specific place — the item's special quality comes from how it is made, selected, or curated, not from where or by which region it is produced. Common in retail contexts describing artisanal, gourmet, or exclusive goods.
4. A quality or feature that makes someone or something noticeably different from o
A quality or feature that makes someone or something noticeably different from others of the same kind, often something admirable or defining.
A warm, earthy scent is the defining specialty of the sandalwood oil from this district.
defining specialty + quality description
A calm, unhurried pace is a recognizable specialty of Takeshi's gardening workshop.
Clean, elegant lines are a specialty of Scandinavian furniture design from the mid-century period.
A dry, biting wit is a recognizable specialty of Lakan's stand-up comedy routines.
- hallmark
stronger connotation of being intentionally developed or cultivated
- trademark
suggests something uniquely associated with a person or brand
- distinctive feature
neutral and descriptive without the 'excellence' connotation
文法句型
be + the + specialty + of + noun
somebody's + specialty
用法筆記
The most abstract and formal sense. Unlike the other senses, this one does not refer to a physical product or a professional skill. Often used in descriptive or literary contexts. Distinguish from sense 1 (a local product) and sense 2 (a professional field).