The difference between 'erikoinen' and 'erityinen'

People often mix these two words. They both can mean special, but erikoinen is more like exceptional and peculiar whereas erityinen is specific and particular. (Feel free to correct me if you can suggest better translations.) I also have a post about eri, erilainen and ero.

Erikoinen

• Onpa erikoinen kysymys! - What a strange question!
• Mun veli on vähän erikoinen. - My brother is kind of odd.
• Saanko kertoa erikoisen tarinan? - Can I tell a peculiar story?

Erityinen

• Tämä on minulle erityisen tärkeää. - This is particularly important to me. 
• Oletko opiskellut erityispedagogiikkaa? - Have you studied special education? 
• Haluaisin erityisesti kiittää Pirkkoa. - I would especially like to thank Pirkko. 

If somebody asks you Mitä kuuluu? you can decide which answer you use: Ei mitään erikoista or Ei mitään erityistä. Now you know the difference!

Lue lisää:

• eri - erilainen - ero

About the author of Random Finnish Lesson: 

My name is Hanna Männikkölahti. I am a professional Finnish teacher who gives private online lessons and simplifies books into easy Finnish. Follow this blog, if you want to be the first one to know when I post something new.  If you want to subscribe to my newsletter, you can do it here.