adjective
special, particular
B1
Besonder is an adjective meaning "special" or "particular". It is gradable (comparative: besonderer; superlative: am besondersten). Not a participle. Use "besonders" as an adverb. Common in phrases like 'ein besonderer Tag' to mark importance or uniqueness. Often used with nouns to emphasize something out of the ordinary.
Examples
Das ist ein besonderes Geschenk.
That's a special gift.
Die Veranstaltung fand in besonderer Atmosphäre statt, weil viele Gäste ehemalige Kollegen waren, die den Anlass feierten.
The event took place in a special atmosphere because many guests were former colleagues who celebrated the occasion.
Er legt auf Details besonderen Wert.
He places particular importance on details.
Details
Mnemonics
Imagine a shiny badge labeled 'Besonder' to mark something special.
Sounds like 'be-SUNDER' — think of 'sonder' meaning special.
Notes
Form often appears as 'besonders' (adverb) or in inflected forms like 'besondere', 'besonderer', 'besonderes'.