The word 特殊 is formed by combining two independent characters, each contributing its core meaning to create a new, unified concept. The first character, 特 (tè), carries the inherent idea of being "unique", "particular", or "unusual". The second character, 殊 (shū), fundamentally means "different", "distinct", or "separate". When joined, their meanings fuse and reinforce one another, conceptually blending "unique" with "different" to express the composite idea of "special", "exceptional", or "out of the ordinary".