当然

• Pinyin: dāng rán
• Hanzi breakdown: 当 = simplified from 當, originally depicting a field; 然 = 月 (meat) + 犬 (dog) + 火 (fire), originally meaning to burn

Meaning

Of course; certainly; naturally. Expresses that something is obvious, expected, or goes without saying.

One of the most common affirmative expressions in Chinese. Used both as a standalone response and within sentences to emphasize that something is self-evident. Can also be used to introduce a concession before 但是.

Examples

1. 你会来参加我的生日会吗？当然会！ Will you come to my birthday party? Of course!
2. 他是中国人，当然会说中文。 He's Chinese, so naturally he can speak Chinese.
3. 当然，学中文不容易，但是很有意思。 Of course, learning Chinese isn't easy, but it's very interesting.

Usage Guide

Context: everyday, conversation

Tone: affirmative

Do Say

• 你想不想一起去？当然想！(Do you want to go together? Of course!)
• 当然可以，没问题。(Of course, no problem.)

Don't Say

• 当然不一定。(Don't pair 当然 with 不一定 — 当然 expresses certainty while 不一定 expresses doubt. Say 也不一定 or 不一定 alone)

Origin & History

当 (should, ought to) + 然 (so, thus). Together they mean 'as it should be' or 'naturally so.'

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal