Chinese word

自然

Pronunciation

Pinyinzì rán

Meaning

  • adjectivenatural

Example

他的反应很自然。tā de fǎn yìng hěn zì rán

His reaction is very natural.

Illustration for 自然 (natural)

More examples

她的笑容很自然。tā de xiào róng hěn zì rán

Her smile is very natural.

Core concept

The appearance of fitting the person, place, or moment so smoothly that no performance or outside control is felt.

Common phrases

  • 自然的笑容zì rán de xiào róng

    natural smile

  • 看起来很自然kàn qǐ lái hěn zì rán

    appear very natural

Similar words

轻松qīng sōng: Describes feeling free from heaviness, worry, and nervous tension.
随便suí biàn: Describes an unconstrained manner that follows personal choice or convenience.
舒服shū fú: Describes feeling physically at ease or emotionally settled.

Definition in Chinese

不做作，言行符合本性或当下情境，不给人刻意、造作的感觉。bú zuò zuò yán xíng fú hé běn xìng huò dāng xià qíng jìng bù gěi rén kè yì zào zuò de gǎn jué

Word origin

The word 自然 (zìrán, "natural; nature") was formed from 自 (zì, "self") and 然 (rán, "so"), expressing what is so by itself and later extending to unforced behavior and conditions.

Usage tips

  • English speakers often connect natural mainly with the outdoors, but everyday Chinese also uses this word for relaxed speech, movement, and behavior.

Other meanings

  • naturenoun
  • naturallyadverb

Opposites

  • 做作zuò zuòartificialadjective

Related words

  • 自然环境zì rán huán jìngnatural environmentnoun

Word lists with this word