自然而然

zì rán ér rán

HSK 3.0 Level 7 Uncommon

Definitions

1. involuntary
2. automatically

Word relationships

Antonyms

1 item

• 必然 bì rán 必然 bì rán inevitable 必然 means inevitable/necessary; 自然而然 implies spontaneous, not forced.: inevitable

Related words

3 items

• 自然 zì rán 自然 zì rán nature Both mean natural(ly), but 自然而然 emphasizes a process unfolding without external force.: nature
• 不由自主 bù yóu zì zhǔ 不由自主 bù yóu zì zhǔ can't help; involuntarily (idiom) 不由自主 means unable to control oneself; 自然而然 means happening naturally as a matter of course.: can't help; involuntarily (idiom)
• 水到渠成 shuǐ dào qú chéng 水到渠成 shuǐ dào qú chéng lit. where water flows, a canal is formed (idiom) A four-character idiom meaning success comes naturally when conditions are ripe, similar to 自然而然.: lit. where water flows, a canal is formed (idiom)

Usage notes

Collocations

Commonly used with 地 (de) to modify verbs: 自然而然地发生 (happen naturally). Without 地, it functions more like a predicate.

Common mistakes

Do not confuse with 自自然然 (informal, often used in northern dialects to describe a natural demeanor).

Example Sentences

1 shown

这个习惯 自然而然 地养成了。

This habit developed naturally.

AI-generated examples are marked with this icon.

Child Words of 自然而然

• 然而 然而 rán ér: however; yet; but
• 而 而 ér: and
• 自 自 zì: self
• 自然 自然 zì rán: nature
• 然 然 rán: correct