What it means
別に〇〇ない means “not particularly” or “not especially.” It presents something as unimportant, unwanted, or not notably true, often with a mildly dismissive or unconcerned nuance. 別に is normally used with a negative predicate, and the negative part changes according to the word class and register.
Usage note
別に can sound curt or dismissive when used by itself or in response to a question. Do not confuse this pattern with 別に meaning “separately” or “in particular” in other sentence structures.
How to use it
これは別に問題ではありません。
This is not particularly a problem.
この部屋は別に静かではありません。
This room is not particularly quiet.
私は新しい時計が別に欲しくありません。
I do not particularly want a new watch.
私は週末に別に遠くへ出かけません。
I do not particularly go far away on weekends.
これは別に問題ではない。
This is not particularly a problem.
この部屋は別に静かではない。
This room is not particularly quiet.
私は新しい時計が別に欲しくない。
I do not particularly want a new watch.
私は週末に別に遠くへ出かけない。
I do not particularly go far away on weekends.