特意
tè yì · HSK 6
specially
🎯 特 (special) + 意 (intention) = specially on purpose
Te sounds like 'teh' as in 'tell you what' — when someone does something specially for you, they TELL you it was intentional. The two parts stack: special + intention = deliberately, on purpose.
特 — cow 牛 + temple 寺 (phonetic)
Originally referred to a male bull or large ox, with 牛 'cow' as the meaning component and 寺 supplying the sound. Over time it shifted from 'bull' to 'special, particular, unique,' the sense used today.