Chinese word

顺其自然

Pronunciation

Pinyinshùn qí zì rán

Meaning

  • idiomlet nature take its course

Example

剩下的事情就顺其自然吧。shèng xià de shì qíng jiù shùn qí zì rán ba

Let the rest take its natural course.

Illustration for 顺其自然 (let nature take its course)

More examples

经历多次尝试无果后，他最终顺其自然，把精力投入新的方向。jīng lì duō cì cháng shì wú guǒ hòu tā zuì zhōng shùn qí zì rán bǎ jīng lì tóu rù xīn de fāng xiàng

After trying many times without success, he finally let nature take its course and devoted his energy to a new direction.

Core concept

A person loosens control over an uncertain situation and lets its existing path determine what happens next.

Common phrases

  • 对感情要顺其自然duì gǎn qíng yào shùn qí zì rán

    let feelings take their natural course

  • 让局势顺其自然发展ràng jú shì shùn qí zì rán fā zhǎn

    let the situation develop naturally

Similar words

听其自然tīng qí zì rán: Leaving a matter to unfold as it will and accepting whatever result follows.
听天由命tīng tiān yóu mìng: Accepting fate and believing that personal effort cannot change the outcome.
随遇而安suí yù ér ān: Adapting to whatever circumstances arise and living peacefully.

Definition in Chinese

不人为强求，任凭事情按本来的方式发展。bù rén wéi qiǎng qiú rèn píng shì qíng àn běn lái de fāng shì fā zhǎn

Word origin

The components 顺 (shùn, "follow"), 其 (qí, "that"), and 自然 (zìrán, "natural course") create the image of following a situation's own development rather than imposing an outcome.

Usage tips

  • In a discussion of plans that depend on other people, this idiom can sound considerate and non-pressuring, but in a task with a clear deadline it can suggest refusing to take responsibility.

Other meanings

  • what will be will beidiom
  • leave things as they areidiom

Opposites

  • 奋发图强fèn fā tú qiángstrive to become strongidiom
  • 锲而不舍qiè ér bù shěpersevereidiom

Word lists with this word