理所当然

• Pinyin: lǐ suǒ dāng rán
• Hanzi breakdown: 理 = 王 + 里 (natural order); 所 = 户 + 斤 (place/that which); 当 = 𠂉 + 田 (appropriate/should); 然 = 肰 + 灬 (fire — so/thus)

Meaning

As a matter of course; naturally; taken for granted. Describes something regarded as self-evident or obviously justified.

A four-character idiom expressing that something is entirely reasonable and expected, requiring no further justification. Can carry a slightly negative connotation when someone takes things for granted without acknowledging the effort or generosity behind them.

Examples

1. 他把父母的付出视为理所当然，从未表达过任何感恩之情。 He took his parents’ sacrifices for granted and never expressed any gratitude.
2. 能够享有良好的公共服务并不是理所当然的，需要全社会共同维护。 Having good public services isn’t something to be taken for granted—it takes society-wide effort to maintain them.
3. 她认为获得这个机会是理所当然的，毕竟她为此付出了数年的努力。 She thought getting this opportunity was only natural, since she had put in years of work for it.

Usage Guide

Context: daily life, social critique, relationships, reasoning

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 在法治社会中，公民理所当然地享有言论自由的权利。(In a society governed by law, citizens naturally have the right to freedom of speech.)
• 作为团队领导，承担更多责任是理所当然的事情。(As team leader, taking on greater responsibility is entirely a matter of course.)

Don't Say

• 在批评某人忽视他人付出时避免单独使用'理所当然'而不加上下文 — 该词本身中性，需结合语境才能传达负面含义，否则可能被误解为赞同

Origin & History

理 (reason/principle) + 所 (that which) + 当 (should/ought to) + 然 (so/thus) — 'that which reason dictates should be so'

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal