Chinese word

依然

Pronunciation

Pinyinyī rán

Meaning

  • adverbstill

Example

问题依然没有解决。wèn tí yī rán méi yǒu jiě jué

The problem is still unresolved.

Illustration for 依然 (still)

More examples

尽管多年过去，他的观点依然不变。jín guǎn duō nián guò qù tā de guān diǎn yī rán bú biàn

Although many years have passed, his views remain unchanged.

Core concept

A situation stays in its earlier state instead of moving on, whether that means normal continuity or an unchanged problem.

Common phrases

  • 依然不变yī rán bú biàn

    remain unchanged

  • 依然如故yī rán rú gù

    remain as before

Similar words

还hái: Shows that an action or situation is still continuing in common spoken language.
仍然réng rán: Shows that an earlier situation remains the same, with a somewhat formal tone.
依旧yī jiù: Shows that a situation remains as it was before, with an emphasis on continuity.

Definition in Chinese

表示事态或情况未发生变化，仍保持先前的样子，有时暗含与预期不同或令人遗憾的意味。biǎo shì shì tài huò qíng kuàng wèi fā shēng biàn huà réng bǎo chí xiān qián de yàng zi yǒu shí àn hán yǔ yù qī bù tóng huò lìng rén yí hàn de yì wèi

Word origin

The compound combines 依 (yī, "according to") with 然 (rán, "so"), presenting the current state as remaining in that same way.

Usage tips

  • This adverb usually comes before the verb or adjective it modifies, and it can mark that an expected change has not occurred.

Other meanings

  • as usualadverb

Opposites

Related words

  • 依然如故yī rán rú gùremain as beforeidiom

Word lists with this word