dāngrán: 当然 - Of course, Certainly, Without a doubt

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• Summary: Learn how to use “当然 (dāngrán),” one of the most common and essential words in Mandarin Chinese. This page provides a deep dive into its meaning, which translates to “of course” or “certainly.” Discover the character origins, cultural nuances, and practical examples to understand how to express confident agreement and certainty in conversation, and how to avoid common mistakes that English speakers make.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): dāngrán
• Part of Speech: Adverb
• HSK Level: HSK 3
• Concise Definition: Used to express that something is certain, obvious, or happens as a matter of course.
• In a Nutshell: “当然” is your go-to word in Chinese when you want to say “of course,” “for sure,” or “naturally.” It conveys a strong sense of affirmation, as if the answer or situation is completely expected and logical. It's the verbal equivalent of a confident nod.

• 当 (dāng): This character's core meaning is “to be,” “to act as,” or “to be suitable/proper.” Think of it as indicating that something fits its role perfectly or is exactly as it should be.
• 然 (rán): This character often acts as a suffix, similar to “-ly” or “-like” in English, turning the preceding word into an adverb or indicating a state of being. It means “in that way” or “like that.”
• Together, 当然 (dāngrán) literally means “in a way that is as it should be.” This beautifully captures the essence of “of course” or “naturally”—something is so logical and right that there's no other way for it to be.

In Chinese culture, directness can be interpreted in various ways depending on the context and relationship between speakers. “当然” is a powerful, direct word that can be both reassuring and potentially problematic. Compared to the English “of course,” “当然” carries a slightly stronger weight of “this is obvious.” In a Western context, saying “of course” can sometimes sound a little condescending, as if to say, “Why would you even ask?” “当然” can have the exact same effect. If a friend asks, “Did you remember to buy me a coffee?” and you reply with a sharp “当然!”, it can imply, “Of course I did, you don't need to remind me.” Therefore, while it's a fundamental word for agreement, its usage is tied to social harmony. With close friends, it's used freely and warmly. In more formal situations or with superiors, a more neutral agreement like “是的 (shì de)” (yes, that's right) might be chosen to avoid sounding overly assertive or dismissive. The key is the tone of voice, which can shift “当然” from “For sure, my friend!” to “Obviously.”

“当然” is extremely common in daily life, from casual chats to business settings.

• Answering Questions: It's the most common way to give an enthusiastic “yes.”
  • A: 你能帮我吗？(Nǐ néng bāng wǒ ma? - Can you help me?)
  • B: 当然可以！(Dāngrán kěyǐ! - Of course I can!)
• Expressing Agreement: To show you strongly agree with someone's statement.
  • A: 这家餐厅的菜真好吃。(Zhè jiā cāntīng de cài zhēn hǎochī. - This restaurant's food is delicious.)
  • B: 当然了！我们常来。(Dāngrán le! Wǒmen cháng lái. - Of course it is! We come here often.)
• As a Conjunction (Making a Concession): It can be used to mean “Of course…” or “Admittedly…” before introducing a contrasting point, similar to “granted” in English.
  • 当然，这个计划很好，但是我们没有足够的预算。(Dāngrán, zhège jìhuà hěn hǎo, dànshì wǒmen méiyǒu zúgòu de yùsuàn. - Of course, this plan is very good, but we don't have a sufficient budget.)
• On Social Media: It's used frequently in comments to show strong support or agreement with a post.

• Example 1:
  • 你喜欢中国吗？我当然喜欢！
  • Pinyin: Nǐ xǐhuān Zhōngguó ma? Wǒ dāngrán xǐhuān!
  • English: Do you like China? Of course I do!
  • Analysis: A simple, enthusiastic, and positive response. This is a very common and friendly use of the word.
• Example 2:
  • A: 我可以借你的车吗？ B: 当然可以。
  • Pinyin: A: Wǒ kěyǐ jiè nǐ de chē ma? B: Dāngrán kěyǐ.
  • English: A: Can I borrow your car? B: Of course you can.
  • Analysis: Here, “当然” is used to give permission warmly and without hesitation. It's reassuring.
• Example 3:
  • 这么重要的事情，我当然记得。
  • Pinyin: Zhème zhòngyào de shìqíng, wǒ dāngrán jìde.
  • English: For such an important matter, of course I remember.
  • Analysis: This sentence emphasizes that remembering was the only logical and expected outcome. Depending on the tone, it could sound slightly defensive.
• Example 4:
  • 他是你的老板，你当然要听他的。
  • Pinyin: Tā shì nǐ de lǎobǎn, nǐ dāngrán yào tīng tā de.
  • English: He's your boss, of course you have to listen to him.
  • Analysis: “当然” is used here to state a logical necessity or obligation. It highlights a cause-and-effect relationship that is considered self-evident.
• Example 5:
  • 学习一门新语言当然不容易。
  • Pinyin: Xuéxí yī mén xīn yǔyán dāngrán bù róngyì.
  • English: Of course, learning a new language is not easy.
  • Analysis: This usage is similar to “admittedly” or “it goes without saying.” It's stating a well-known fact as a premise.
• Example 6:
  • 当然，我们可以明天再讨论这个问题。
  • Pinyin: Dāngrán, wǒmen kěyǐ míngtiān zài tǎolùn zhège wèntí.
  • English: Of course, we can discuss this issue again tomorrow.
  • Analysis: Used at the beginning of a sentence as a discourse marker to signal agreement or to introduce a point.
• Example 7:
  • 你觉得他会来吗？当然了！他从不迟到。
  • Pinyin: Nǐ juéde tā huì lái ma? Dāngrán le! Tā cóng bù chídào.
  • English: Do you think he will come? Of course! He is never late.
  • Analysis: The particle “了 (le)” is often added to “当然” for extra emphasis and a more colloquial feel.
• Example 8:
  • 每个人都想成功，这当然是真的。
  • Pinyin: Měi ge rén dōu xiǎng chénggōng, zhè dāngrán shì zhēn de.
  • English: Everyone wants to succeed, this is of course true.
  • Analysis: Used to confirm the truth of a universal statement.
• Example 9:
  • 当然，价格是一个因素，但质量更重要。
  • Pinyin: Dāngrán, jiàgé shì yí ge yīnsù, dàn zhìliàng gèng zhòngyào.
  • English: Of course, price is a factor, but quality is more important.
  • Analysis: This demonstrates its use as a concessive conjunction, acknowledging one point before making a more important one.
• Example 10:
  • 他是这次比赛的冠军，他的实力当然不容小觑。
  • Pinyin: Tā shì zhè cì bǐsài de guànjūn, tā de shílì dāngrán bùróng xiǎoqù.
  • English: He is the champion of this competition; of course his strength cannot be underestimated.
  • Analysis: A more formal example showing how “当然” establishes a logical conclusion based on a stated fact.

• Tone is Everything: This is the biggest pitfall. A warm, rising tone makes “当然” friendly and encouraging. A flat, sharp tone can make it sound dismissive, impatient, or even arrogant. When in doubt, soften your tone.
• “当然” vs. “是的 (shì de)” / “对 (duì)”: Don't use “当然” for every “yes.” If your teacher asks a factual question like, “北京是中国的首都吗？” (Is Beijing the capital of China?), the most appropriate answer is “是的” (shì de) or “对” (duì). Answering “当然!” might sound a little too casual or over-confident for the situation, as if the question was silly to begin with.
  • Incorrect: Teacher: 2 + 2 = 4, 对吗？ (Duì ma?) Student: 当然!
  • Correct: Teacher: 2 + 2 = 4, 对吗？ (Duì ma?) Student: 对。(Duì.)
  • Reason: “对 (duì)” simply confirms the fact. “当然 (dāngrán)” implies the fact is so obvious it shouldn't even be a question, which can be perceived as slightly impolite to the person asking.
• Overuse: As a beginner, it's easy to latch onto “当然” and overuse it. Remember to vary your affirmations. Sometimes a simple “好 (hǎo)” (okay/good) or “可以 (kěyǐ)” (can/okay) is all you need.

• 当然了 (dāngrán le) - A more colloquial and emphatic version of “当然.” The “了 (le)” adds a feeling of finality and excitement.
• 肯定 (kěndìng) - An adverb meaning “definitely” or “certainly.” It's a close synonym but often implies a higher degree of certainty based on evidence or analysis, whereas “当然” can be based on pure logic or social expectation.
• 自然 (zìrán) - Means “natural” or “naturally.” While related, “自然” refers to something happening in a natural, unforced way. “当然” refers to something being logically certain.
• 是的 (shì de) - “Yes, that's it.” A neutral, factual confirmation. A safer choice in formal settings.
• 对 (duì) - “Correct,” “right.” The most common and neutral way to agree with a factual statement or a yes/no question.
• 可以 (kěyǐ) - “Can,” “may,” “be allowed to.” Often follows “当然” when giving permission, as in “当然可以！”
• 理所当然 (lǐ suǒ dāng rán) - An idiom (chengyu) meaning “it is only right and proper,” “to take for granted.” This phrase contains “当然” and reveals its deep-rooted meaning of something being logical and proper.
• 不用说 (búyòng shuō) - “Needless to say,” “it goes without saying.” A phrase with a very similar function to “当然” when introducing an obvious point.