Special usually is used in the positive connotation to express something is better than others.
Special是特殊的、独特的意思。
Example:
You are very special to me.
你对于我来说地位非常特殊。
Birthday is special compared to an ordinary day for all of us.
对所有人来说，生日那天都是有特殊意义的。
Specific usually relates to detail or information. Something specific means something meets some special requirement or conditions.
Specific是特定的、详细的意思。
Example:
Do you have any specific plans for this weekend?
这个周末你有什么特定的计划吗？
Do you have any specific thing you want to talk about?
你有什么特别的事情想谈谈吗？
Particular usually implies something is not general, and it has some characteristics that make it unique than others in some way. It has kind of a negative connotation.
Particular是与众不同的、不一般的意思。
Example:
I don't like that particular clothes.
我不喜欢那个衣服。
You can find him in that particular time almost every day.
几乎每天的那个特定时间你都能找到他。
Certain means to be sure about something.
Certain是确信的意思。不提及细节的某人、某物、某事。
Examples:
The girl is certain the girlfriend he likes.
那个女孩是他喜欢的女朋友类型。
I am waiting for a certain person.
我正在等一个人。
