当然

• Reading: とうぜん
• Romaji: touzen
• Kanji breakdown: 当 (tou) — appropriate, hit, apply; 然 (zen) — so, thus
• Pronunciation: /toː.zeɴ/

Meaning

Obvious; natural; as a matter of course. Describes something that is expected or goes without saying.

A na-adjective, no-adjective, and adverb. As an adverb: 当然知っているでしょう (you obviously know, right?). As an adjective: 当然の結果 (the natural result). Also used as an interjection meaning 'of course!' (当然！). Implies that something should be expected and questioning it would be unreasonable. Stronger than もちろん (mochiron, of course), which is more conversational.

Examples

1. 約束を破ったら怒られるのは当然だ。 If you break a promise, it's only natural that people will get mad.
2. 毎日練習していたので当然の結果だと思う。 I practiced every day, so I think the result was to be expected.
3. 手伝ってくれるの？当然でしょう。 You'll help out? Of course I will.

Usage Guide

Context: argument, logic, daily life

Tone: assertive

Origin & History

Compound of 当 (tou, to hit/apply/appropriate) and 然 (zen, so/thus/like that). Together, 'appropriately so' — something that naturally fits the situation.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal