Word
不然 (bù rán) — Chinese word meaning
HSK 5
不然 (bù rán) is a Chinese word: otherwise. This page shows its pinyin, translation, example sentences, character breakdown, decomposition, and HSK level.
Meaning of 不然
连 lián conjunction
otherwise
你要快点，不然会迟到。
nǐ yào kuài diǎn bù rán huì chí dào
You need to hurry, otherwise you'll be late.
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Word breakdown
不 bù — not, negation
Words with this character (171)
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- 不 not, negation marker
- 客 guest, polite (being formal as a guest would)
- 气 manner, attitude, air (of behavior)
Example
不客气，这是我应该做的。
bú kè qi zhè shì wǒ yīng gāi zuò de
You're welcome, it's what I should do.
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Example
不要担心，一切都会好的。
bú yào dān xīn yí qiè dōu huì hǎo de
Don't worry, everything will be fine.
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Example
我真的对不起大家。
wǒ zhēn de duì bu qǐ dà jiā
I'm really sorry to everyone.
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- 不 not (negation)
- 好 good; easy
- 意 meaning; intention (first part of 意思)
- 思 thought; meaning (second part of 意思)
Example
不好意思，请问洗手间在哪里？
bù hǎo yì si qǐng wèn xǐ shǒu jiān zài nǎ lǐ
Excuse me, may I ask where the restroom is?
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Example
今天天气不错。
jīn tiān tiān qì bú cuò
The weather is pretty good today.
Show more (+166)
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Example
他不久就会回来。
tā bù jiǔ jiù huì huí lái
He will come back soon.
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Example
这个菜不但好吃，而且很便宜。
zhè ge cài bú dàn hǎo chī ér qiě hěn pián yi
This dish is not only delicious, but also very cheap.
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Example
每个人的想法都不同。
měi gè rén de xiǎng fǎ dōu bù tóng
Everyone's thoughts are different.
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Example
你不用担心，一切都会好的。
nǐ bú yòng dān xīn yí qiè dōu huì hǎo de
You need not worry, everything will be fine.
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Example
这个方法不行，我们需要换一个。
zhè ge fāng fǎ bù xíng wǒ men xū yào huàn yí ge
This method won't do, we need to switch to another one.
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Example
我的钥匙不见了。
wǒ de yào shi bú jiàn le
My keys have disappeared.
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Example
我差不多完成了作业。
wǒ chà bu duō wán chéng le zuò yè
I've almost finished my homework.
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Example
他不仅聪明，而且勤奋。
tā bù jǐn cōng míng ér qiě qín fèn
He is not only smart but also hardworking.
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Example
这个时间对我很不便。
zhè ge shí jiān duì wǒ hěn bú biàn
This time is very inconvenient for me.
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Example
他不光会说中文，还会说英文。
tā bù guāng huì shuō zhōng wén hái huì shuō yīng wén
He not only speaks Chinese, but also speaks English.
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Example
他学习不够努力。
tā xué xí bú gòu nǔ lì
He doesn't study hard enough.
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Example
他的成绩不如我。
tā de chéng jì bù rú wǒ
His grades are not as good as mine.
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Example
我不得不承认你是对的。
wǒ bù dé bù chéng rèn nǐ shì duì de
I have to admit you are right.
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Example
不必客气，请随便坐。
bú bì kè qi qǐng suí biàn zuò
No need to be polite, please sit anywhere.
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Example
科技不断发展，改变着我们的生活。
kē jì bú duàn fā zhǎn gǎi biàn zhe wǒ men de shēng huó
Technology continuously develops, changing our lives.
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Example
他对这个结果很不满。
tā duì zhè ge jié guǒ hěn bù mǎn
He is very dissatisfied with this result.
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Example
不管天气怎么样，我都要去。
bù guǎn tiān qì zěn me yàng wǒ dōu yào qù
No matter what the weather is like, I will go.
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Example
不论天气如何，我们都要出发。
bú lùn tiān qì rú hé wǒ men dōu yào chū fā
No matter what the weather is like, we must set off.
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- 不 provides the negative or limiting sense
- 过 relates to surpassing or going beyond; together with 不 forms a contrastive conjunction
Example
这道菜很好吃，不过有点儿贵。
zhè dào cài hěn hǎo chī bú guò yǒu diǎnr guì
This dish is delicious, however it's a bit expensive.
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Example
这种天气我受不了。
zhè zhǒng tiān qì wǒ shòu bu liǎo
I can't stand this kind of weather.
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Example
我来不及吃早饭就走了。
wǒ lái bù jí chī zǎo fàn jiù zǒu le
I didn't have time to eat breakfast and left.
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Example
形势对我们不利。
xíng shì duì wǒ men bù lì
The situation is unfavorable to us.
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Example
这是一个不幸的消息。
zhè shì yí gè bú xìng de xiāo xi
This is unfortunate news.
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- 不 not; negation indicating inability
- 得 able to; can; indicating capability
- 了 finish; complete; settle
Example
如果不小心，后果不得了。
rú guǒ bù xiǎo xīn hòu guǒ bù dé liǎo
If you're not careful, the consequences will be terrible.
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Example
他的行为不符公司规定。
tā de xíng wéi bù fú gōng sī guī dìng
His behavior doesn't conform to company regulations.
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Example
他有不良的生活习惯。
tā yǒu bù liáng de shēng huó xí guàn
He has bad lifestyle habits.
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- 不 not; provides negation
- 要 important/need; forms 'important' with 紧
- 紧 tight/urgent/critical; combines with 要 to mean 'important'
Example
你别担心，不要紧的。
nǐ bié dān xīn bú yào jǐn de
Don't worry, it doesn't matter.
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Example
睡眠不足会影响健康。
shuì mián bù zú huì yǐng xiǎng jiàn kāng
Insufficient sleep affects health.
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Example
他是一个了不起的人。
tā shì yí ge liǎo bu qǐ de rén
He is a remarkable person.
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- 从 from (indicates temporal starting point, contributing to 'at no time')
- 不 not (negation that combines with 从 to form 'never')
Example
他从不迟到。
tā cóng bù chí dào
He is never late.
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- 舍 to give up, to part with
- 不 not (negation)
- 得 complement particle indicating capability or possibility
Example
孩子舍不得扔掉旧玩具。
hái zi shě bu de rēng diào jiù wán jù
The child cannot bear to throw away old toys.
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- 要 forms part of the conditional phrase (originally 'want/will')
- 不 negation marker 'not'
- 是 completes the conditional construction (originally 'to be')
Example
要不是你帮忙，我完不成这个项目。
yào bù shì nǐ bāng máng wǒ wán bù chéng zhè ge xiàng mù
If it were not for your help, I couldn't complete this project.
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- 要 introduces a conditional sense, 'if one needs/wants'
- 不 negation, 'not'
- 然 so, thus; completes 'if not so' meaning
Example
快点走吧，要不然会迟到的。
kuài diǎn zǒu ba yào bù rán huì chí dào de
Hurry up, otherwise we'll be late.
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Example
他说不定会来。
tā shuō bu dìng huì lái
He might come.
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Example
听到这个消息，我感到很不安。
tīng dào zhè ge xiāo xi wǒ gǎn dào hěn bù ān
Hearing this news, I felt very uneasy.
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Example
饭后不宜立即运动。
fàn hòu bù yí lì jí yùn dòng
It's not advisable to exercise immediately after eating.
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Example
她赞叹不已。
tā zàn tàn bù yǐ
She praised it endlessly.
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Example
考试时不得交谈。
kǎo shì shí bù dé jiāo tán
You must not talk during the exam.
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Example
这样不成，我们得想别的办法。
zhè yàng bù chéng wǒ men děi xiǎng bié de bàn fǎ
This won't do, we have to think of another way.
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Example
天气预报说会晴天，不料下起了大雨。
tiān qì yù bào shuō huì qíng tiān bú liào xià qǐ le dà yǔ
The weather forecast said it would be sunny, but unexpectedly it started raining heavily.
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Example
他不时地看一下手表。
tā bù shí de kàn yī xià shǒu biǎo
He looks at his watch from time to time.
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Example
他不曾放弃过自己的梦想。
tā bù céng fàng qì guò zì jǐ de mèng xiǎng
He has never given up on his dreams.
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Example
他不止一次提醒我。
tā bù zhǐ yī cì tí xǐng wǒ
He reminded me more than once.
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Example
听到这个好消息，他不禁笑了起来。
tīng dào zhè ge hǎo xiāo xi tā bù jīn xiào le qǐ lái
Hearing this good news, he couldn't help but smile.
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Example
她用不耐烦的语气回答问题。
tā yòng bú nài fán de yǔ qì huí dá wèn tí
She answered the question in an impatient tone.
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Example
虽然他很忙，但不至于连电话都不接。
suī rán tā hěn máng dàn bú zhì yú lián diàn huà dōu bù jiē
Although he's busy, he won't go so far as to not answer the phone.
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Example
妈妈不许我看电视。
mā ma bù xǔ wǒ kàn diàn shì
Mom doesn't allow me to watch TV.
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Example
他今天身体不适，没有来上班。
tā jīn tiān shēn tǐ bù shì méi yǒu lái shàng bān
He's unwell today and didn't come to work.
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Example
他不顾危险冲进了火场。
tā bú gù wēi xiǎn chōng jìn le huǒ chǎng
He disregarded the danger and rushed into the fire scene.
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Example
他好不容易才找到工作。
tā hǎo bù róng yì cái zhǎo dào gōng zuò
He found a job with great difficulty.
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Example
他毫不犹豫地答应了。
tā háo bù yóu yù de dā ying le
He agreed without hesitation.
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Example
你不应该看不起别人。
nǐ bù yīng gāi kàn bu qǐ bié rén
You shouldn't look down on others.
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Example
她是一个一丝不苟的科学家。
tā shì yí ge yì sī bù gǒu de kēxuéjiā
She is a meticulous scientist.
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Example
石像一动不动。
shí xiàng yí dòng bù dòng
The stone statue is motionless.
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Example
面对批评，他保持一声不吭的态度。
miàn duì pī píng tā bǎo chí yì shēng bù kēng de tài du
Facing criticism, he maintained a silent attitude.
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Example
一成不变的做法已经过时了。
yì chéng bù biàn de zuò fǎ yǐ jīng guò shí le
The unchanging approach is already outdated.
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Example
这个老板一毛不拔，从不给员工加薪。
zhè ge lǎo bǎn yì máo bù bá cóng bù gěi yuán gōng jiā xīn
This boss is extremely stingy and never gives employees raises.
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Example
面对指责，他一言不发。
miàn duì zhǐ zé tā yì yán bù fā
Faced with accusations, he didn't say a word.
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Example
这个项目的投资不下一千万元。
zhè ge xiàng mù de tóu zī bú xià yī qiān wàn yuán
The investment in this project is no less than ten million yuan.
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Example
这个城市不乏优秀的餐厅。
zhè ge chéng shì bù fá yōu xiù de cān tīng
This city has no lack of excellent restaurants.
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- 不 not; negates the action of concluding
- 了 to finish, to settle; indicates completion
- 了 to finish; reinforces the sense of completion
- 之 it, this (classical particle); refers to the matter
Example
这件事不能不了了之，我们必须找到解决办法。
zhè jiàn shì bù néng bù liǎo liǎo zhī wǒ men bì xū zhǎo dào jiě jué bàn fǎ
This matter cannot be left unresolved; we must find a solution.
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Example
法院不予受理这个案件。
fǎ yuán bù yǔ shòu lǐ zhè ge àn jiàn
The court refuses to accept this case.
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Example
她的成就不亚于她的老师。
tā de chéng jiù bú yà yú tā de lǎo shī
Her achievements are no less than her teacher's.
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- 不 not (part of classical rhetorical structure)
- 亦 also (classical particle for emphasis)
- 乐 joy; happy (core meaning element)
- 乎 classical final particle (forms rhetorical question)
Example
孩子们玩得不亦乐乎。
hái zi men wán de bú yì lè hū
The children played to their heart's content.
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Example
他对我的建议不以为然。
tā duì wǒ de jiàn yì bù yǐ wéi rán
He disapproves of my suggestion.
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Example
他不假思索地回答了问题。
tā bù jiǎ sī suǒ de huí dá le wèn tí
He answered the question without thinking.
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Example
他的行为真是不像话！
tā de xíng wéi zhēn shì bù xiàng huà
His behavior is really outrageous!
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Example
独自在外，不免想家。
dú zì zài wài bù miǎn xiǎng jiā
Being alone away from home, one inevitably misses home.
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Example
这里不准吸烟。
zhè lǐ bù zhǔn xī yān
Smoking is not allowed here.
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Example
他的管理不力导致了公司的损失。
tā de guǎn lǐ bú lì dǎo zhì le gōng sī de sǔn shī
His ineffective management led to the company's losses.
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Example
他投资了很多不动产。
tā tóu zī le hěn duō bú dòng chǎn
He invested in a lot of real estate.
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- 不 not, negation
- 厌 to tire of, to be weary of
- 其 its, that (possessive/demonstrative)
- 烦 trouble, annoyance, bother
Example
老师不厌其烦地给学生解释这个问题。
lǎo shī bù yàn qí fán de gěi xué sheng jiě shì zhè ge wèn tí
The teacher tirelessly explains this problem to the students.
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Example
我的汉语水平不及你。
wǒ de hàn yǔ shuǐ píng bù jí nǐ
My Chinese level is not as good as yours.
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Example
大自然的力量真是不可思议。
dà zì rán de lì liàng zhēn shì bù kě sī yì
The power of nature is truly inconceivable.
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- 不 not (negation marker)
- 可 can/may (possibility marker)
- 或 or (creates sense of 'or lacking')
- 缺 lack/be missing
Example
水对于生命来说是不可或缺的。
shuǐ duì yú shēng mìng lái shuō shì bù kě huò quē de
Water is indispensable to life.
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Example
他不堪重负，终于病倒了。
tā bù kān zhòng fù zhōng yú bìng dǎo le
Unable to bear the heavy burden, he finally fell ill.
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Example
情况不妙，我们必须马上离开。
qíng kuàng bú miào wǒ men bì xū mǎ shàng lí kāi
The situation is bad, we must leave immediately.
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Example
天气这么好，不妨出去走走。
tiān qì zhè me hǎo bù fáng chū qù zǒu zou
The weather is so nice, might as well go out for a walk.
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Example
这个计划的时间还不定。
zhè ge jì huà de shí jiān hái bú dìng
The time for this plan is still uncertain.
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Example
形势不容乐观。
xíng shì bù róng lè guān
The situation does not allow for optimism.
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Example
他不屑与那些人为伍。
tā bú xiè yǔ nà xiē rén wéi wǔ
He disdains to associate with those people.
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Example
他对这个决定感到不平。
tā duì zhè ge jué dìng gǎn dào bù píng
He felt indignant about this decision.
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Example
他的行为很不当。
tā de xíng wéi hěn bú dàng
His behavior is very improper.
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Example
我不得已才这样做的。
wǒ bù dé yǐ cái zhè yàng zuò de
I had no choice but to do this.
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Example
至于他为什么离开，我们不得而知。
zhì yú tā wèi shén me lí kāi wǒ men bù dé ér zhī
As for why he left, we don't know.
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Example
他不惜一切代价保护家人。
tā bù xī yí qiè dài jià bǎo hù jiā rén
He spares no cost to protect his family.
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Example
他不愧是冠军。
tā bú kuì shì guàn jūn
He is indeed a champion.
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Example
这次事故源于不慎的操作。
zhè cì shì gù yuán yú bú shèn de cāo zuò
This accident stemmed from careless operation.
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Example
他不懈的努力终于获得了成功。
tā bú xiè de nǔ lì zhōng yú huò dé le chéng gōng
His unremitting efforts finally achieved success.
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- 不 not, negation (negating discount)
- 折 discount, reduction
- 不 not, negation (negating deduction)
- 扣 deduct, deduction
Example
他是一个不折不扣的好人。
tā shì yí gè bù zhé bù kòu de hǎo rén
He is a complete and absolute good person.
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Example
不敢当，这都是大家的功劳。
bù gǎn dāng zhè dōu shì dà jiā de gōng láo
I don't deserve it, this is everyone's achievement.
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Example
今年经济不景气，很多公司倒闭了。
jīn nián jīng jì bù jǐng qì hěn duō gōng sī dǎo bì le
This year the economy is depressed, and many companies have gone bankrupt.
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Example
他对这个判决不服。
tā duì zhè ge pàn jué bù fú
He refuses to accept this judgment.
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- 不 not, negation marker
- 正 proper, correct, righteous
- 之 of (classical possessive marker)
- 风 wind, trend, custom, atmosphere
Example
我们必须坚决抵制社会上的不正之风。
wǒ men bì xū jiān jué dǐ zhì shè huì shàng de bù zhèng zhī fēng
We must firmly resist unhealthy trends in society.
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Example
警方打击不法分子。
jǐng fāng dǎ jī bù fǎ fèn zǐ
The police crack down on lawbreakers.
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- 不 not, negation marker
- 由 by, through, control (in this context: having control over)
- 得 potential complement marker (indicates ability or possibility)
Example
看到这个场景，我不由得笑了起来。
kàn dào zhè ge chǎng jǐng wǒ bù yóu de xiào le qǐ lái
Seeing this scene, I couldn't help but laugh.
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Example
听到这首歌，她不由自主地哭了起来。
tīng dào zhè shǒu gē tā bù yóu zì zhǔ de kū le qǐ lái
Hearing this song, she involuntarily started crying.
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Example
这两支球队的水平不相上下，比赛非常激烈。
zhè liǎng zhī qiú duì de shuǐ píng bù xiāng shàng xià bǐ sài fēi cháng jī liè
These two teams are evenly matched, so the game is very intense.
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- 不 not (negates 'knowing')
- 知 to know, to be aware
- 不 not (negates 'perceiving')
- 觉 to perceive, to sense, to feel
Example
时间不知不觉就过去了。
shí jiān bù zhī bù jué jiù guò qù le
Time passed unconsciously.
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Example
孩子走丢了，妈妈急得不知所措。
hái zi zǒu diū le mā ma jí de bù zhī suǒ cuò
The child got lost, and the mother was so anxious she didn't know what to do.
-
Example
这不算迟到。
zhè bú suàn chí dào
This doesn't count as being late.
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107 不约而同 bù yuē ér tóng — to happen to coincide; to agree by chance without prior consultation HSK 7
- 不 not, without
- 约 arrangement, agreement, appointment
- 而 yet, but (conjunction)
- 同 same, together, in unison
Example
听到这个消息，大家不约而同地鼓起掌来。
tīng dào zhè ge xiāo xi dà jiā bù yuē ér tóng de gǔ qǐ zhǎng lái
Upon hearing the news, everyone spontaneously applauded at the same time.
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- 不 not, negation
- 经 to pass through, to experience (conscious processing)
- 意 intention, attention, awareness
Example
我不经意间看到了那封信。
wǒ bù jīng yì jiān kàn dào le nà fēng xìn
I inadvertently saw that letter.
-
Example
我的钱包不翼而飞了。
wǒ de qián bāo bú yì ér fēi le
My wallet disappeared without a trace.
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Example
孔子虽然学问渊博，但他不耻下问，经常向普通人请教。
Kǒng zǐ suī rán xué wèn yuān bó dàn tā bù chǐ xià wèn jīng cháng xiàng pǔ tōng rén qǐng jiào
Although Confucius was very learned, he was not ashamed to learn from those below him and often consulted ordinary people.
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Example
他是个不肖子孙。
tā shì gè bú xiào zǐ sūn
He is an unworthy descendant.
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Example
贵的东西不见得就是好的。
guì de dōng xi bú jiàn dé jiù shì hǎo de
Expensive things are not necessarily good.
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Example
我对他的行为感到不解。
wǒ duì tā de xíng wéi gǎn dào bù jiě
I don't understand his behavior.
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- 不 not, without (negation)
- 言 to speak, words (verbal explanation)
- 而 yet, and (conjunction connecting contrasting ideas)
- 喻 to understand, to comprehend (grasp meaning)
Example
诚实的重要性不言而喻。
chéng shí de zhòng yào xìng bù yán ér yù
The importance of honesty is self-evident.
-
- 不 not (negation)
- 辞 take leave, say goodbye
- 而 and then, but (conjunction connecting actions)
- 别 part, leave, separate
Example
他昨天不辞而别，谁也不知道他去了哪里。
tā zuó tiān bù cí ér bié shuí yě bù zhī dào tā qù le nǎ lǐ
He left without saying goodbye yesterday, nobody knows where he went.
-
- 与 with, from (introduces comparison)
- 众 crowd, masses, others
- 不 not (negation marker)
- 同 same, identical
Example
她的穿衣风格与众不同。
tā de chuān yī fēng gé yǔ zhòng bù tóng
Her clothing style is distinctive.
-
Example
他面对两个工作机会，举棋不定，不知道该选哪个。
tā miàn duì liǎng gè gōng zuò jī huì jǔ qí bù dìng bù zhī dào gāi xuǎn nǎ ge
Faced with two job opportunities, he is hesitant and indecisive, not knowing which one to choose.
-
Example
她对烹饪乐此不疲，每天都尝试新菜谱。
tā duì pēng rèn lè cǐ bù pí měi tiān dōu cháng shì xīn cài pǔ
She takes delight in cooking and never tires of it, trying new recipes every day.
-
- 从 following, going with the flow
- 容 ease, composure, calmness
- 不 not (negation)
- 迫 pressed, hurried, urgent
Example
面对突发状况，他从容不迫地处理问题。
miàn duì tū fā zhuàng kuàng tā cóng róng bù pò de chǔ lǐ wèn tí
Facing the sudden situation, he handled the problem calmly and unhurriedly.
-
Example
新推出的产品供不应求，订单已经排到下个月了。
xīn tuī chū de chǎn pǐn gōng bù yìng qiú dìng dān yǐ jīng pái dào xià gè yuè le
The newly launched product is in short supply, orders are already booked until next month.
-
- 依 attached, clinging (emotional attachment)
- 依 repeated for emphasis, intensifying the reluctant feeling
- 不 not, negation
- 舍 willing to give up, bear to part with
Example
毕业时，同学们依依不舍地告别。
bì yè shí tóng xué men yī yī bù shě de gào bié
At graduation, the classmates said goodbye reluctantly.
-
Example
学习新语言免不了会犯错误。
xué xí xīn yǔ yán miǎn bu liǎo huì fàn cuò wù
When learning a new language, you cannot avoid making mistakes.
-
- 划 to calculate, to reckon (profitability)
- 不 not (negation)
- 来 feasible, workable (directional complement indicating result)
Example
坐出租车去太划不来了，我们坐地铁吧。
zuò chū zū chē qù tài huá bù lái le wǒ men zuò dì tiě ba
Taking a taxi is not worth it, let's take the subway.
-
Example
保护环境刻不容缓，我们应该从现在做起。
bǎo hù huán jìng kè bù róng huǎn wǒ men yīng gāi cóng xiàn zài zuò qǐ
Protecting the environment admits of no delay; we should start now.
-
- 力 strength, ability, capability
- 不 not, negation
- 从 follow, comply with
- 心 heart, mind, will, intention
Example
他虽然想帮忙，但因为身体不好，力不从心。
tā suī rán xiǎng bāng máng dàn yīn wèi shēn tǐ bù hǎo lì bù cóng xīn
Although he wanted to help, due to poor health, he was willing but unable.
-
Example
他动不动就生气。
tā dòng bu dòng jiù shēng qì
He gets angry at every turn.
-
Example
他的进攻势不可当，对手毫无还手之力。
tā de jìn gōng shì bù kě dāng duì shǒu háo wú huán shǒu zhī lì
His attack was irresistible, the opponent had no power to fight back.
-
- 可 expresses possibility or emphasis in the phrase
- 不 negation particle, part of the idiomatic expression
- 是 verb 'to be', combines with 可不 to form emphatic agreement
Example
今天真热。可不是！
jīn tiān zhēn rè kě bú shì
It's really hot today. Isn't it though!
-
Example
他的解释让我哭笑不得。
tā de jiě shì ràng wǒ kū xiào bù dé
His explanation left me not knowing whether to laugh or cry.
-
Example
大不了我们明天再来。
dà bu liǎo wǒ men míng tiān zài lái
At worst, we'll come back tomorrow.
-
Example
这个项目少不了你的帮助。
zhè ge xiàng mù shǎo bu liǎo nǐ de bāng zhù
This project cannot do without your help.
-
- 层 layer; suggests one after another in succession
- 出 come out, emerge; indicates appearance
- 不 not; negates the following character
- 穷 exhaust, end; with 不 means endless
Example
新的科技产品层出不穷。
xīn de kē jì chǎn pǐn céng chū bù qióng
New technology products emerge in an endless stream.
-
Example
最近房价居高不下。
zuì jìn fáng jià jū gāo bú xià
Housing prices have remained at a high level recently.
-
- 川 river, representing flowing water
- 流 flow, emphasizing the flowing motion
- 不 not, negation particle
- 息 stop, cease, to rest
Example
街上的车辆川流不息。
jiē shàng de chē liàng chuān liú bù xī
The vehicles on the street flow in an endless stream.
-
- 巴 expresses strong desire or eagerness; an intensifier showing longing
- 不 part of the fixed idiomatic expression; does not function as simple negation here
- 得 completes the idiomatic expression; contributes to the meaning of 'obtaining' one's wish
Example
他巴不得马上回家。
tā bā bu dé mǎ shàng huí jiā
He is dying to go home immediately.
-
Example
他们两个从小就形影不离。
tā men liǎng gè cóng xiǎo jiù xíng yǐng bù lí
The two of them have been inseparable since childhood.
-
Example
熬夜学习虽然多记住了些东西，但损害了健康，得不偿失。
áo yè xué xí suī rán duō jì zhù le xiē dōng xi dàn sǔn hài le jiàn kāng dé bù cháng shī
Although staying up late to study helps you remember more things, it harms your health—the losses outweigh the gains.
-
- 微 tiny, minute, minuscule
- 不 not, negation marker
- 足 sufficient, enough, worthy
- 道 to speak of, to mention, worth talking about
Example
相比整个项目的规模，这笔费用微不足道。
xiāng bǐ zhěng gè xiàng mù de guī mó zhè bǐ fèi yòng wēi bù zú dào
Compared to the scale of the entire project, this expense is negligible.
-
Example
水是生命必不可少的元素。
shuǐ shì shēng mìng bì bù kě shǎo de yuán sù
Water is an indispensable element for life.
-
Example
老师的教诲让我念念不忘。
lǎo shī de jiào huì ràng wǒ niàn niàn bù wàng
I always remember my teacher's teachings.
-
Example
这件事怪不得你。
zhè jiàn shì guài bu de nǐ
This matter can't be blamed on you.
-
- 恋 attachment, longing
- 恋 emphasis on attachment (repetition)
- 不 not, negative particle
- 舍 give up, part with
Example
孩子们恋恋不舍地离开了游乐园。
hái zi men liàn liàn bù shě de lí kāi le yóu lè yuán
The children reluctantly left the amusement park.
-
Example
我恨不得马上回家。
wǒ hèn bu de mǎ shàng huí jiā
I wish I could go home right away.
-
Example
看到这美丽的景色，她情不自禁地笑了。
kàn dào zhè měi lì de jǐng sè tā qíng bù zì jīn de xiào le
Seeing this beautiful scenery, she couldn't help but smile.
-
Example
这个结果真是意想不到。
zhè ge jié guǒ zhēn shì yì xiǎng bù dào
This result is really unexpected.
-
- 截 sharply, clearly (indicating a sharp distinction)
- 然 manner suffix (forms adverb emphasizing the state)
- 不 not (negation particle)
- 同 same, similar (the concept being negated)
Example
双胞胎的性格截然不同。
shuāng bāo tāi de xìng gé jié rán bù tóng
The twins' personalities are completely different.
-
Example
突如其来的暴雨让我们措手不及。
tū rú qí lái de bào yǔ ràng wǒ men cuò shǒu bù jí
The sudden rainstorm caught us off guard.
-
Example
他的学生无不敬佩他。
tā de xué sheng wú bù jìng pèi tā
All his students admire him without exception.
-
- 无 no, without; negates the phrase that follows
- 微 tiny, minute; refers to the smallest details
- 不 not; negative particle
- 至 reach, arrive at; indicates that attention extends to all details
Example
母亲对孩子的照顾总是无微不至。
mǔ qīn duì hái zi de zhào gu zǒng shì wú wēi bù zhì
A mother's care for her children is always meticulous in every detail.
-
Example
她做事总是有条不紊，从不慌乱。
tā zuò shì zǒng shì yǒu tiáo bù wěn cóng bù huāng luàn
She always does things in an orderly and methodical manner, never panicking.
-
- 来 to come; represents the arrival or obtaining of something
- 之 classical possessive particle; connects the components
- 不 not; negates the following character
- 易 easy; refers to ease or simplicity
Example
这个机会来之不易，你一定要把握住。
zhè ge jī huì lái zhī bù yì nǐ yí dìng yào bǎ wò zhù
This opportunity is hard-won, you must seize it.
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- 格 standard, pattern (first instance for emphasis)
- 格 standard, pattern (repetition for emphasis)
- 不 not (negation)
- 入 enter, fit in
Example
他在这个保守的环境中显得格格不入。
tā zài zhè ge bǎo shǒu de huán jìng zhōng xiǎn de gé gé bù rù
He seems out of place in this conservative environment.
-
- 源 source, origin (first instance, emphasizing the continuous source)
- 源 source (repeated for emphasis, intensifying the continuous nature)
- 不 not (negation particle)
- 断 break, cut off (meaning to stop or interrupt)
Example
游客源源不断地来到这座古城。
yóu kè yuán yuán bù duàn de lái dào zhè zuò gǔ chéng
Tourists continuously come to this ancient city.
-
- 滔 surging; indicates continuous flowing
- 滔 surging (repeated for emphasis); intensifies the continuous nature
- 不 not; negation
- 绝 to stop; to cease
Example
他滔滔不绝地讲了两个小时。
tā tāo tāo bù jué de jiǎng le liǎng gè xiǎo shí
He talked incessantly for two hours.
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155 爱不释手 ài bù shì shǒu — love something so much that one can't put it down; fondle admiringly HSK 7
- 爱 love; expresses fondness and affection
- 不 not; negation particle
- 释 release, let go; to put down
- 手 hand; the physical hand
Example
她收到礼物后爱不释手，一直拿在手里欣赏。
tā shōu dào lǐ wù hòu ài bù shì shǒu yì zhí ná zài shǒu lǐ xīn shǎng
After receiving the gift, she loved it so much she couldn't put it down, holding it in her hands and admiring it.
-
- 犹 still, yet (expressing lingering uncertainty)
- 豫 hesitate, be uncertain
- 不 not (negation)
- 决 decide, determine
Example
面对重要决定时，不要犹豫不决。
miàn duì zhòng yào jué dìng shí bù yào yóu yù bù jué
When facing important decisions, don't be hesitant and indecisive.
-
Example
孩子们目不转睛地看着魔术师的表演。
hái zi men mù bù zhuǎn jīng de kàn zhe mó shù shī de biǎo yǎn
The children stared fixedly at the magician's performance.
-
- 禁 to restrain, to endure, to control
- 不 not, negation particle
- 住 to hold, to stop (resultative complement)
Example
她禁不住流下了眼泪。
tā jīn bu zhù liú xià le yǎn lèi
She couldn't help but shed tears.
-
Example
我们素不相识，但他却帮助了我。
wǒ men sù bù xiāng shí dàn tā què bāng zhù le wǒ
We were complete strangers, but he helped me.
-
- 经 through, undergo (indicating duration)
- 久 long time (specifying extended duration)
- 不 not (negation)
- 息 cease, stop (meaning unceasing when negated)
Example
演出结束后，观众的掌声经久不息。
yǎn chū jié shù hòu guān zhòng de zhǎng shēng jīng jiǔ bù xī
After the performance, the audience's applause lasted for a long time without stopping.
-
- 络 to connect in a continuous network or chain
- 绎 to continue without interruption, to follow in succession
- 不 not
- 绝 to cut off, to stop, to cease
Example
春节期间，来寺庙烧香的人络绎不绝。
chūn jié qī jiān lái sì miào shāo xiāng de rén luò yì bù jué
During the Spring Festival, people coming to the temple to burn incense arrive in an endless stream.
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162 美中不足 měi zhōng bù zú — a fly in the ointment; the only flaw in something otherwise perfect HSK 7
Example
这个计划很完美，美中不足的是成本太高。
zhè ge jì huà hěn wán měi měi zhōng bù zú de shì chéng běn tài gāo
This plan is perfect, the only flaw is that the cost is too high.
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Example
面对困难，他自强不息，终于成功了。
miàn duì kùn nán tā zì qiáng bù xī zhōng yú chéng gōng le
Facing difficulties, he strove unremittingly and finally succeeded.
-
Example
他的年龄我说不上。
tā de nián líng wǒ shuō bu shàng
I can't say his age.
-
Example
客人们对酒店的服务赞不绝口。
kè rén men duì jiǔ diàn de fú wù zàn bù jué kǒu
The guests were full of praise for the hotel's service.
-
- 足 foot (not stepping with one's feet)
- 不 not (negation marker)
- 出 to go out, to exit
- 户 door, household (the threshold of home)
Example
现在网购很方便，足不出户就能买到想要的东西。
xiàn zài wǎng gǒu hěn fāng biàn zú bù chū hù jiù néng mǎi dào xiǎng yào de dōng xi
Online shopping is very convenient now; you can buy what you want without leaving home.
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167 身不由己 shēn bù yóu jǐ — beyond one's control; involuntary; unable to act of one's own free will HSK 7
- 身 body, oneself, one's person
- 不 not (negation marker)
- 由 by, from, through (indicates agency or source)
- 己 self, oneself (emphasizes personal agency)
Example
在那种情况下，我也是身不由己。
zài nà zhǒng qíng kuàng xià wǒ yě shì shēn bù yóu jǐ
In that situation, I also had no choice.
-
- 过 to pass; to cross; to go through
- 不 not; cannot (negation marker)
- 去 to go (directional complement indicating movement away)
Example
这条路太窄了，车过不去。
zhè tiáo lù tài zhǎi le chē guò bu qù
This road is too narrow, cars cannot get through.
-
Example
你帮了我这么多忙，我真是过意不去。
nǐ bāng le wǒ zhè me duō máng wǒ zhēn shì guò yì bú qù
You've helped me so much, I really feel apologetic.
-
Example
他迫不及待地打开了礼物。
tā pò bù jí dài de dǎ kāi le lǐ wù
He couldn't wait to open the gift.
-
- 锲 to carve; represents continuous effort
- 而 and; conjunction linking the action with not stopping
- 不 not; negation indicating the absence of giving up
- 舍 to give up; what is not done in perseverance
Example
他锲而不舍地学习中文，终于通过了考试。
tā qiè ér bù shě de xué xí zhōng wén zhōng yú tōng guò le kǎo shì
He persistently studied Chinese and finally passed the exam.
然 rán — so, thus, like that
Words with this character (42)
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- 虽 although, even though (core concessive meaning)
- 然 so, thus (grammatical suffix completing the conjunction)
Example
虽然下雨了，但是我还是去了。
suī rán xià yǔ le dàn shì wǒ hái shi qù le
Although it rained, I still went.
-
Example
当然，我很愿意帮助你。
dāng rán wǒ hěn yuàn yì bāng zhù nǐ
Of course, I'm very willing to help you.
-
Example
我先吃饭，然后去学校。
wǒ xiān chī fàn rán hòu qù xué xiào
I'll eat first, then go to school.
-
Example
天空突然下起了大雨。
tiān kōng tū rán xià qǐ le dà yǔ
The sky suddenly started pouring with heavy rain.
-
Example
虽然很累，她仍然坚持工作。
suī rán hěn lèi tā réng rán jiān chí gōng zuò
Although she is tired, she still persists in working.
Show more (+37)
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- 大 great, vast (emphasizes the grandeur and scope of nature)
- 自 self, natural (indicates the inherent, spontaneous quality)
- 然 thus, so (reinforces the natural state of being)
Example
我们应该保护大自然。
wǒ men yīng gāi bǎo hù dà zì rán
We should protect nature.
-
Example
天空忽然下起了大雨。
tiān kōng hū rán xià qǐ le dà yǔ
The sky suddenly started pouring heavy rain.
-
Example
既然你来了，就一起吃饭吧。
jì rán nǐ lái le jiù yì qǐ chī fàn ba
Since you're here, let's eat together.
-
Example
他很努力，然而结果并不理想。
tā hěn nǔ lì rán ér jié guǒ bìng bù lǐ xiǎng
He worked very hard, however the result was not ideal.
-
Example
他竟然通过了考试。
tā jìng rán tōng guò le kǎo shì
He unexpectedly passed the exam.
-
Example
他喜欢接近自然。
tā xǐ huan jiē jìn zì rán
He likes to get close to nature.
-
Example
他依然住在那个老房子里。
tā yī rán zhù zài nà ge lǎo fáng zi lǐ
He still lives in that old house.
-
Example
我们在街上偶然相遇。
wǒ men zài jiē shàng ǒu rán xiāng yù
We met by chance on the street.
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- 居 expresses a state or situation (contrary to expectations)
- 然 emphasizes the natural occurrence of the unexpected
Example
他居然通过了考试。
tā jū rán tōng guò le kǎo shì
He unexpectedly passed the exam.
-
- 必 must, necessarily; contributes the sense of certainty
- 然 so, thus; functions as a nominalizing suffix creating the noun form
Example
这是历史发展的必然结果。
zhè shì lì shǐ fā zhǎn de bì rán jié guǒ
This is the inevitable result of historical development.
-
Example
他显然不知道真相。
tā xiǎn rán bù zhī dào zhēn xiàng
He obviously doesn't know the truth.
-
Example
他说会下雨，果然下雨了。
tā shuō huì xià yǔ guǒ rán xià yǔ le
He said it would rain, and sure enough it did.
-
- 要 introduces a conditional sense, 'if one needs/wants'
- 不 negation, 'not'
- 然 so, thus; completes 'if not so' meaning
Example
快点走吧，要不然会迟到的。
kuài diǎn zǒu ba yào bù rán huì chí dào de
Hurry up, otherwise we'll be late.
-
- 天 heaven, nature, representing the natural world
- 然 state or manner suffix, indicating 'in that natural state'
Example
这是天然的矿泉水。
zhè shì tiān rán de kuàng quán shuǐ
This is natural mineral water.
-
Example
我们家用天然气做饭。
wǒ men jiā yòng tiān rán qì zuò fàn
Our family uses natural gas for cooking.
-
- 一 one (indicating a single glance)
- 目 eye, glance
- 了 to understand, to comprehend
- 然 so, thus (indicating the natural state)
Example
这张图表设计得很好，数据趋势一目了然。
zhè zhāng tú biǎo shè jì de hěn hǎo shù jù qū shì yī mù liǎo rán
This chart is well designed, the data trends are clear at a glance.
-
Example
他对我的建议不以为然。
tā duì wǒ de jiàn yì bù yǐ wéi rán
He disapproves of my suggestion.
-
Example
他公然违反规定。
tā gōng rán wéi fǎn guī dìng
He openly violated the rules.
-
Example
消息传出后，全场哗然。
xiāo xi chuán chū hòu quán chǎng huá rán
When the news spread, the whole venue was in an uproar.
-
- 固 firmly; certainly; indeed (emphasizes certainty)
- 然 so; thus; right (affirmative particle forming concessive conjunction)
Example
钱固然重要，但健康更重要。
qián gù rán zhòng yào dàn jiàn kāng gèng zhòng yào
Money is admittedly important, but health is more important.
-
Example
她坦然地承认了自己的错误。
tā tǎn rán de chéng rèn le zì jǐ de cuò wù
She calmly admitted her mistake.
-
Example
老人坐在公园里看书，显得怡然自得。
lǎo rén zuò zài gōng yuán lǐ kàn shū xiǎn de yí rán zì dé
The old man sits reading in the park, appearing content and at ease.
-
- 恍 suddenly, in a flash
- 然 manner suffix (indicates the way something happens)
- 大 great, big (intensifies the realization)
- 悟 understand, realize, awaken to
Example
听了他的解释后，我恍然大悟。
tīng le tā de jiě shì hòu wǒ huǎng rán dà wù
After hearing his explanation, I suddenly realized.
-
- 截 sharply, clearly (indicating a sharp distinction)
- 然 manner suffix (forms adverb emphasizing the state)
- 不 not (negation particle)
- 同 same, similar (the concept being negated)
Example
双胞胎的性格截然不同。
shuāng bāo tāi de xìng gé jié rán bù tóng
The twins' personalities are completely different.
-
Example
他断然拒绝了这个提议。
tā duàn rán jù jué le zhè ge tí yì
He resolutely rejected this proposal.
-
Example
他毅然决定辞职创业。
tā yì rán jué dìng cí zhí chuàng yè
He resolutely decided to resign and start a business.
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- 漠 desert-like, barren; conveys emotional emptiness and coldness
- 然 in such a manner; forms an adjective indicating a state
Example
她对周围发生的一切都很漠然。
tā duì zhōu wéi fā shēng de yī qiè dōu hěn mò rán
She is indifferent to everything happening around her.
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- 焕 brilliant, radiant (conveying brightness and vitality)
- 然 suffix indicating state or manner
- 一 completely, entirely (emphasizing totality)
- 新 new, fresh
Example
经过装修，这座老房子焕然一新。
jīng guò zhuāng xiū zhè zuò lǎo fáng zi huàn rán yī xīn
After renovation, this old house took on a completely new look.
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Example
他猛然站起来，吓了我一跳。
tā měng rán zhàn qǐ lái xià le wǒ yí tiào
He suddenly stood up and startled me.
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- 理 reason, principle, logic
- 所 that which (grammatical particle connecting elements)
- 当 should, ought to, appropriate
- 然 so, thus, in that way (natural state)
Example
父母关心孩子是理所当然的事。
fù mǔ guān xīn hái zi shì lǐ suǒ dāng rán de shì
Parents caring for their children is a matter of course.
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Example
纵然困难重重，我们也要坚持下去。
zòng rán kùn nán chóng chóng wǒ men yě yào jiān chí xià qù
Even if difficulties are numerous, we must persist.
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- 自 self, natural (forms 'natural' with 然)
- 然 so, thus (completes 'natural' with 自)
- 界 world, realm, sphere
Example
自然界中有很多神奇的现象。
zì rán jiè zhōng yǒu hěn duō shén qí de xiàn xiàng
There are many miraculous phenomena in the natural world.
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- 自 self; from within
- 然 so; in that way (first occurrence)
- 而 and; connecting particle
- 然 so; in that way (reinforcing repetition)
Example
时间长了，两个人自然而然就成了好朋友。
shí jiān cháng le liǎng gè rén zì rán ér rán jiù chéng le hǎo péng you
Over time, the two naturally became good friends.
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- 茫 vast, vague, unclear (describes the unclear mental state)
- 然 in such a manner (suffix forming adjective/adverb)
Example
他茫然地看着周围，不知道发生了什么。
tā máng rán de kàn zhe zhōu wéi bù zhī dào fā shēng le shén me
He looked around bewildered, not knowing what had happened.
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Example
他的名字赫然出现在名单上。
tā de míng zi hè rán chū xiàn zài míng dān shàng
His name appeared strikingly on the list.
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- 顺 follow, go along with
- 其 it, its (referring to the situation)
- 自 self, naturally (part of 自然)
- 然 so, thus (completes 自然 meaning 'nature')
Example
他决定顺其自然，不再强求。
tā jué dìng shùn qí zì rán bù zài qiáng qiú
He decided to let nature take its course and stop forcing things.
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Example
天气骤然变冷了。
tiān qì zhòu rán biàn lěng le
The weather suddenly turned cold.
Structure & writing
不 is a component in 8 characters
不 is an atomic character — it does not decompose further.
Stroke order
然 is a component in 1 characters
consists of
⺼ is a component in 68 characters
Show more HSK 3 characters (+1)
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Show more HSK 7 characters (+18)
犬 is a component in 14 characters
灬 is a component in 18 characters
Show more HSK 7 characters (+1)
Stroke order