当然
dāngrán
The Chinese phrase for "of course" is 当然 (dāngrán).
当然 is used to indicate enthusiastic agreement or to confirm that something is a matter of course. It can also be used as a standalone response to a question to show that a point is certain.
Meaning: indicates enthusiastic agreement (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), a suffix meaning "so" or "in such a way". Literally, it means "it is so" or "naturally so".
Which one should you use?
While 当然 expresses enthusiastic or certain agreement, it is more assertive than 那是, which simply means "that is [the case]".
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
As an adverb, 当然 can be placed before the verb it modifies or at the beginning of a sentence to emphasize the certainty of the entire clause.
How do you pronounce it?
dāngrán
Did you know?
- Depending on the tone of voice, 当然 can be used sarcastically to mean 'obviously not' or to mock someone for asking a silly question.
- Using 当然 (dāngrán) when answering a request from a superior can sometimes sound like you are granting a favor rather than following an order.
- In formal written Chinese, 当然 can be replaced by 自然 (zìrán), which also means 'of course' but literally translates to 'nature'.
Examples in context
- 我当然告诉了她。Of course, I told her.This sentence shows how to use 当然 to emphasize that an action was taken.Tatoeba #5433151 by liangh, translation #3905367 by CH
- 当然，这只是个玩笑。That was a joke, of course.This sentence demonstrates using 当然 at the start of a sentence to qualify a statement.Tatoeba #12717079 by Duyu09, translation #12259876 by sundown
- 当然，杂技演员必须有完美的平衡感。Of course, an acrobat must have a perfect sense of balance.This sentence shows how 当然 can be used to express a logical necessity.Tatoeba #10201151 by slo_oth, translation #2897658 by neil
- 当然可以Of course, you can.
- 当然不Of course not.
- 当然没问题Of course, no problem.
- 当然啦，我会去的Of course, I will go.
- 当然啦，你是我最好的朋友Of course, you are my best friend.
- 必须的！Of course!
- 19 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Xiaowen asks Wei if he can help her with a task.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen你能帮我搬这张桌子吗？Nǐ néng bāng wǒ bān zhè zhāng zhuōzi ma?Can you help me move this table?
- 伟 Wei当然！没问题。Dāngrán! Méi wèntí.Of course! No problem.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen太谢谢你了，伟。Tài xièxiè nǐ le, Wěi.Thank you so much, Wei.
- 伟 Wei不用客气。Bùyòng kèqì.You're welcome.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
