Expressing “feature” with 特点 and 特色
The nouns 特点 and 特色 are similar, but they are used in different contexts.
The noun 特点
We use the noun 特点 
when talking about a distinctive feature of something. It should be something specific.
when talking about a distinctive feature of something. It should be something specific.
Examples
地铁是大城市的特点
Subway systems are a key feature of big cities
dìtiě shì dà chéngshì de tèdiǎn
北京一直保留着中国古代都市的一些主要特点
Beijing retains some of the key characteristics of ancient Chinese cities
běijīng yìzhí bǎoliúzhe zhōngguó gǔdài dūshì de yìxiē zhǔyào tèdiǎn
这次罢工的主要特点是持续时间长
The main feature of the strike was its long duration
zhè cì bàgōng de zhǔyào tèdiǎn shì chíxù shíjiān cháng
The noun 特色
We use the noun 特色 when talking about something abstract. This noun usually emphasizes some features that have arisen because of environmental influences.
when talking about something abstract. This noun usually emphasizes some features that have arisen because of environmental influences. Pay attention
Usually 特色 is used when talking about style or cultural features.
Examples
美国许多街角都带有地方特色
Many street corners in the USA have their own local character
měiguó xǔduō jiējiǎo dōu dàiyǒu dìfāng tèsè
此处的现代化旅馆其实毫无特色
Modern hotels here are really nothing special
cǐchǔ de xiàndàihuà lǚguǎn qíshí háowú tèsè
他们担心会失去他们的民族特色
They are scared of losing their national identity
tāmen dānxīn huì shīqù tāmen de mínzú tèsè
Learn more