同义词辨析: 特X words: 特色、特点、特征、特质、＆ 特性

If you look up the meanings of these five words in Chinese-English dictionaries, you may find out the results almost identical and the explanations, like a characteristic, a distinguishing feature, and a distinctive mark. You may ask questions like:

• What's the difference between these words?
• Can some of them be used interchangeably?
• All these are very common, but can someone perhaps comment on the difference between them?
• Are there situations where you have to use a specific word (or where it's extremely common at least)?
• Are there any other rules or patterns to how these words are used?

 
The Chinese-Chinese dictionaries give definitions like:
 
【特点】tèdiǎn 人或事物所具有的独特的地方。如：他的外貌平凡，没有什么特点。

• seems to indicate a specific feature which marks something as different from something else (or what makes it stand out)
• more neutral than 特色
• doesn't have the feeling of "style" mentioned above (compare 色/點）

【特征】 tèzhēng 可作为事物特点的征象、标志等。如：这个人的特征，在于他有一头卷发。

• a general word that can be used to describe features and characteristics of all kinds

【特色】tèsè  事物所表现的独特的色彩、风格等。如：一二三一二三的节拍是华尔兹舞曲的特色。A rhythm of One Two Three One Two Three is characteristic of waltz.

• a positive defining characteristic and is used more about objects than people
• can perhaps also be translated to "style" in certain contexts.

【特性】 tèxìng 人、事物所特有的性质。常指物品的性能、性质，如：石棉的特性是不易燃烧。Characteristics of asbestos is difficult to burn.

• the word "property" appears in dictionaries for this word but not the others.

【特质】tèzhì 异于其他众物的性质。如： 她有天才的特质。 She bears the stamp of genius. 

•  relate to the inner quality or nature of something (性質) 

To sum up, these words can be differentiated as follows:

• 特色 - style (abstract)
• 特: special, good
• 色: color, but not here.
• 特点 - unique point (general)
• 点: point, a small hole or circle
• 特征 - feature (of a person or a product)
• 征: sign
• 特质 - quality (of a product or a person)
• 质: quality
• 特性 - property (abstract)
• 性: nature, function

 

There are some collocations (搭配Dāpèi), e.g.,

1. 历史特点 - historical features
2. 时代特点 - unique point or feature about an era, epoch or period of time
3. 学校特色 - characteristics of school
4. 文化特色 - cultural style
5. 身体​​特征 - characteristics of school
6. 容貌特征 - appearance characteristics
7. 时间特性 - time characteristics
8. 语言特性 - language property
9. 女性特质 - femininity
10. 遗传特质 - a hereditary characteristic

These words are usually non-interchangeable if you are specific about what you are saying or writing. An example statement combining all the above would be:

• 这台相机有许多1)_________：它具有防水功能的2)_________，优良4)_________的防刮镜头，最主要的4)_________是它无需对焦就能让你拍出据有专业5)_________的照片。
  This camera has numerous features: it has a water-resistant property, excellent quality scratch resistant lens. The most important (unique) point is that it doesn't require focusing and can let you shoot photos with a professional style.
• key: 1) 特征  2) 特性   3)特质   4)特点    5)特色

这台相机有许多特征：它具有防水功能的特性，优良特质的防刮镜头，最主要的特点是它无需对焦就能让你拍出据有专业特色的照片。

Please fill in the blanks by using the five words above. 

1. 土壤的物理_________决定于土粒的性质和排列。 Physical properties depend on the nature and arrangement of the soil particles.  
2. 您不用将这些_________特别地编到您的应用程序中去。 You do not have to specifically program these features into your application.
3. “相同货物”指在所有方面都相同的货物，包括物理_________、质量和声誉。 "identical goods" means goods which are the same in all respects, including physical characteristics, quality and reputation.  
4. 他买的领带很有中国_________。 The tie he bought is Chinese style.
5. 所有女孩都有她们所不满意的外貌________。All girls have some features about themselves they do not like.
6. 人的_________不是一眼看得出的。There's more in somebody than meets the eye.
7. 同情、灵感、渴望和巨大的创造力，这些是我们共有的_________。 These are our shared traits of compassion, inspiration, aspiration, and great ingenuity.