Chinese word

当然

Pronunciation

Pinyindāng rán

Meaning

  • adverbof course

Example

你当然可以参加我们的聚会。nǐ dāng rán ké yǐ cān jiā wǒ men de jù huì

You can of course attend our party.

Illustration for 当然 (of course)

More examples

这件事当然没问题。zhè jiàn shì dāng rán méi wèn tí

There is of course no problem with this matter.

Core concept

A situation feels naturally settled because common sense, experience, or a rule points to it.

Common phrases

  • 当然可以dāng rán ké yǐ

    certainly can

  • 当然没问题dāng rán méi wèn tí

    certainly no problem

Similar words

一定yí dìng: Indicates that something will almost certainly be true or happen.
肯定kěn dìng: Expresses a firm belief that something is without doubt true.
自然zì rán: Describes something following its natural course without human interference.

Definition in Chinese

表示按常理、经验或规则应当如此，含有理所当然或预期会发生的意味。biǎo shì àn cháng lǐ jīng yàn huò guī zé yīng dāng rú cǐ hán yǒu lí suǒ dāng rán huò yù qī huì fā shēng de yì wèi

Word origin

The compound joins 当 (dāng, "should") with 然 (rán, "so"), turning an expected result into something presented as plainly so.

Usage tips

  • A brief reply with this word can carry more certainty than an English speaker expects, so the surrounding tone helps show whether it sounds reassuring or blunt.

Other meanings

  • naturaladjective
  • taken for grantedadjective

Opposites

Word lists with this word