Japanese word

当然

Pronunciation

Romajitōzen

Meaning

  • na-adjectiveof course

Example

それは当然です。so re wa tō zen de su

Of course it is.

Illustration for 当然 (of course)

More examples

彼女が選ばれたのは当然です。kano jo ga era ba re ta no wa tō zen de su

It is only natural that she was chosen.

Core concept

Presents a fact or outcome as so expected or self-evident that no special explanation is needed.

Common phrases

  • 当然だと思うtō zen da to omo u

    think it is only natural

  • 当然のようにtō zen no yō ni

    as a matter of course

  • 当然のことだtō zen no ko to da

    be a matter of course

Similar words

当たり前atarimae: Describes something regarded as natural, normal, or taken for granted.

Definition in Japanese

疑問や説明を挟むまでもなく、そうであると認められるさま。gi mon ya setsu mei o hasa mu ma de mo na ku sō de a ru to mito me ra re ru sa ma

Word origin

当然 (tōzen) is a Sino-Japanese compound of 当 (tō, "rightly fitting") and 然 (zen, "so; in that way"), expressing that something is naturally so.

Usage tips

  • English speakers may hear "of course" as casual agreement, while 当然 (tōzen) can also describe an expected outcome in phrases such as 当然の結果 (tōzen no kekka).

Other meanings

  • naturalna-adjective
  • deservedna-adjective

Opposites

Word lists with this word