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March 24, 2026
然rán(ran2)
The character '然' (rán) conveys a sense of correctness or affirmation, often translated as 'so', 'thus', or 'certainly'. It is commonly used in various contexts to indicate agreement or to describe a state of being. Additionally, it can serve as a suffix to form adverbs or to reinforce the meaning of preceding words.
Strokes12Radical灬Frequency#3837DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
The character '然' is often found in philosophical texts, reflecting concepts of correctness and naturalness, which are significant in Chinese thought, especially in Confucianism and Daoism, where understanding the natural order is crucial.
Memory Tip
Imagine a wise owl that gives a nod of approval, saying 'rán' like a soft, affirming 'yes'. The character features the radical '火' (fire) which represents brightness or correctness, and the '然' suggests that something is indeed correct or natural, like the way fire naturally produces light.
Meanings of 然
rán(ran2)
1correct
2right
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 然
然Simplified
12Strokes
灬Radical
连词连词conjunction (conj.)Part of Speech
#3837Frequency Rank
Podcast: 然
Podcast: 然
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AI Study Notes for 然
Usage Notes
'然' is often used in formal contexts and can appear in idiomatic expressions. A common mistake is to confuse it with '然后' (ránhòu), which means 'after that'. Remember that '然' alone does not imply a sequence; it simply affirms a statement.
HSK Study Tips
Although '然' is not an HSK vocabulary word, it appears frequently in advanced texts. Learners should focus on its role in forming phrases like '当然' (dāngrán, 'of course') and '自然' (zìrán, 'natural') to better understand its usage.
Common Mistakes
Learners often mistakenly use '然' in informal conversation when a simpler affirmative like '是' (shì) would suffice. For example, saying '这就是然' (zhè jiù shì rán) instead of '这就是对的' (zhè jiù shì duì de, 'this is correct').
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 然
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六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声å—)~80-90% of characters
Explanation
Phonosemantic compound. 灬 represents the meaning and 肰 represents the sound. Based on the original meaning "ignite; burn", now written as 燃. The current meaning is a phonetic loan.
Phonosemantic compound. 灬 represents the meaning and 肰 represents the sound. Based on the original meaning "ignite; burn", now written as 燃. The current meaning is a phonetic loan.
1The meaning half灬 carries the sense.
2The sound half肰 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
3The giveawayfire
4On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 然? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
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Exercise 1 of 1
Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 然?
Decomposition of 然
IDS Structure⿱肰灬
然Full Character
=
肰ran2
top
灬huo3
bottom
Exercise 1 of 2
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 然?
How to say correct in Chinese
“correct” in Chinese is然rán
The character '然' (rán) conveys a sense of correctness or affirmation, often translated as 'so', 'thus', or 'certainly'. It is commonly used in various contexts to indicate agreement or to describe a state of being. Additionally, it can serve as a suffix to form adverbs or to reinforce the meaning of preceding words.
When to use 然
'然' is often used in formal contexts and can appear in idiomatic expressions. A common mistake is to confuse it with '然后' (ránhòu), which means 'after that'. Remember that '然' alone does not imply a sequence; it simply affirms a statement.
What learners get wrong
Learners often mistakenly use '然' in informal conversation when a simpler affirmative like '是' (shì) would suffice. For example, saying '这就是然' (zhè jiù shì rán) instead of '这就是对的' (zhè jiù shì duì de, 'this is correct').
Write 然
然
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Grammar Patterns of 然
然 functions as a conjunction — it connects clauses or phrases. Many Chinese conjunctions come in pairs (虽然…但是…, 因为…所以…); use them at the front of the clauses they link. It carries 7 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
