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March 24, 2026
依然yīrán(yi1ran2)
依然 means 'still' or 'as before' and is used to indicate that a situation remains unchanged or that something continues to be the same. It can express a sense of continuity or persistence in various contexts, such as emotions, conditions, or circumstances.
Strokes20Frequency#2689DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
The concept of '依然' reflects the Chinese value of stability and continuity in relationships and situations, often seen in traditional sayings that emphasize the importance of remaining steadfast.
Memory Tip
Think of 依 (yi) as someone leaning on (依) a wall, symbolizing dependence, while 然 (ran) looks like a person standing still. Together, they illustrate the concept of remaining unchanged or still, resonating with the sound 'yi ran' which sounds like 'you run', but actually means to stay put.
Meanings of 依然
yīrán(yi1ran2)
1still
2as before
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About 依然
依然Simplified
20Strokes
—Radical
副词fùcíadverb (adv.)Part of Speech
#2689Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L5HSK 3.0L5IntermediateTOCFLL4HSKKL2CEFRB1
Podcast: 依然
Podcast: 依然
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AI Study Notes for 依然
Quick Contrast
仍然 (réngrán) - use 依然 when emphasizing a sense of unchanged continuity in emotional or situational contexts, while 仍然 often implies a broader or more neutral continuation.
Usage Notes
依然 is often used in both formal and informal contexts but is more common in written Chinese. Be careful not to confuse it with similar phrases like 还是 (hái shì), which implies a choice, whereas 依然 emphasizes continuation. For example, saying '他依然在这里' (Tā yīrán zài zhèlǐ) means 'He is still here.'
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 5 word, 依然 connects to other words expressing time and continuity, like 仍然 (réngrán) which is a synonym. Students should practice using it in sentences to express ongoing actions or states to solidify their understanding of its application.
Common Mistakes
Learners often mistakenly use 依然 with a negation, such as saying '他依然不喜欢' (Tā yīrán bù xǐhuān). The correct phrasing would be '他还是不喜欢' (Tā háishì bù xǐhuān), as 依然 emphasizes continuation rather than change.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 依然
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依然 means 'still' or 'as before' and is used to indicate that a situation remains unchanged or that something continues to be the same. It can express a sense of continuity or persistence in various contexts, such as emotions, conditions, or circumstances.
When to use 依然
依然 is often used in both formal and informal contexts but is more common in written Chinese. Be careful not to confuse it with similar phrases like 还是 (hái shì), which implies a choice, whereas 依然 emphasizes continuation. For example, saying '他依然在这里' (Tā yīrán zài zhèlǐ) means 'He is still here.'
依然 or something close to it
仍然 (réngrán) - use 依然 when emphasizing a sense of unchanged continuity in emotional or situational contexts, while 仍然 often implies a broader or more neutral continuation.
What learners get wrong
Learners often mistakenly use 依然 with a negation, such as saying '他依然不喜欢' (Tā yīrán bù xǐhuān). The correct phrasing would be '他还是不喜欢' (Tā háishì bù xǐhuān), as 依然 emphasizes continuation rather than change.
Write 依然
依
然
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Grammar Patterns of 依然
依然 functions as an adverb — it modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb. In Chinese, adverbs sit BEFORE the verb they modify (我也去, 他常常迟到), never after it. It carries 2 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.
