当然
dāng rán
The Chinese word for 'absolutely' is 当然 (dāng rán).
When used as an interjection to mean 'absolutely' or 'certainly', 当然 is typically used to agree with a suggestion or to confirm a fact. While it can be translated as 'absolutely', it is more commonly translated as 'of course' in English when used as a standalone response.
Meaning: yes, certainly (intj)
What does it mean word for word?
The word 当然 is composed of 当 (dāng), meaning 'to act as' or 'to be' and 然 (rán), meaning 'so' or 'thus', literally meaning 'it is so' or 'of course'.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
As an interjection meaning 'absolutely', 当然 does not change its form based on tense or person.
How do you pronounce it?
dāng rán
Did you know?
- If you say 当然 to a teacher or a superior, it can sometimes sound slightly dismissive or overly blunt, as if you are saying 'obviously'. Adding a particle like 吧 or using a more polite phrase is often safer in formal settings.
- In classical Chinese literature, the character 然 was frequently used as a final particle to provide a sense of completion or confirmation to a thought.
- The character 然 (rán) functions like a suffix in many formal Chinese adjectives, such as 自然 (zìrán) for 'natural' or 突然 (tūrán) for 'sudden'. It essentially turns a root into a state of being.
Examples in context
- 这个计划绝对没有问题。There is absolutely no problem with this plan.
- 你想一起去吃晚餐吗？- 当然啦！Do you want to go out for dinner together? – Absolutely!
- 我当然知道。Wǒ dāngrán zhīdào.Of course I know.
- 这当然是真的。Zhè dāngrán shì zhēn de.This is certainly true.
Example conversation
A man asks a woman if she can join the dinner party.
- 志强 Zhiqiang雨婷，你今晚能来参加聚会吗？Yǔtíng, nǐ jīnwǎn néng lái cānjiā jùhuì ma?Yuting, can you come to the party tonight?
- 雨婷 Yuting当然可以！Dāngrán kěyǐ!Absolutely!
- 志强 Zhiqiang太好了，我很期待见到你。Tài hǎole, wǒ hěn qīdài jiàndào nǐ.Great, I am looking forward to seeing you.
- 雨婷 Yuting我也很期待。Wǒ yě hěn qīdài.I am looking forward to it too.
