Readings: ゼン, ネン (Onyomi), しか, しかる, さ (Kunyomi)
Meaning: natural, like that, proper, certainly, thus
Pictophonetic character. Originally depicted meat being roasted (top part like meat, bottom is fire). Borrowed for its sound to mean “thus,” “so,” or “like that.” The original meaning of “burning” is now represented by 燃.
View JLPT N3 Kanji ListHow to Write – Stroke Order
The kanji 然 consists of 12 strokes. It begins with the top-left component, then the top-right, followed by the middle horizontal strokes, and finally the four strokes of the fire radical (火) at the bottom. Pay attention to the balance.
Kanji Details
| Radical | 火 |
|---|---|
| Strokes | 12 |
| JLPT Level | N3 |
| Grade | Unassigned |
Readings with English Transcription
Onyomi (Chinese readings)
- ゼン (zen)
- ネン (nen)
Kunyomi (Japanese readings)
- しか (shika)
- しかる (shikaru)
- さ (sa)
Common Words Using 然
Onyomi Readings
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 自然 | しぜん | nature, natural |
| 当然 | とうぜん | naturally, as a matter of course |
| 全然 | ぜんぜん | not at all (with negative) |
| 偶然 | ぐうぜん | by chance, accidentally, coincidence |
| 天然 | てんねん | natural (e.g., resources, substances) |
| 必然 | ひつぜん | inevitable, necessary |
| 未然 | みぜん | before it happens, in advance |
| 忽然 | こつぜん | suddenly, unexpectedly |
| 渙然 | かんぜん | dispelling, dissolving |
| 截然 | せつぜん | distinct, clear-cut |
Kunyomi Readings
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 然し | しかし | however, but |
| 然るべき | しかるべき | appropriate, proper |
| 然も | しかも | moreover, furthermore |
| 然う | さよう | so, that’s right |
| 然り | しかり | that’s right, yes (archaic/literary) |
| 然しながら | しかしながら | however, nevertheless (more formal) |
| 然と | さも | indeed, truly (often with an adjective) |
| 然う然う | さようさよう | yes, indeed, that’s right (emphatic) |
| 然る | しかる | to be thus, to be so (classical verb) |
| 然ながら | さながら | just as if, exactly like |
Example Sentences
Japanese: 私は自然の中で過ごすのが好きです。
Kana: わたしはしぜんのなかですごすのがすきです。
Romaji: Watashi wa shizen no naka de sugosu no ga suki desu.
English: I like spending time in nature.
Japanese: 努力すれば、成功するのは当然だ。
Kana: どりょくすれば、せいこうするのはとうぜんだ。
Romaji: Doryoku sureba, seikō suru no wa tōzen da.
English: If you make an effort, it’s natural to succeed.
Japanese: 私は彼の意見に全然賛成できません。
Kana: わたしはかれのいけんにぜんぜんさんせいできません。
Romaji: Watashi wa kare no iken ni zenzen sansei dekimasen.
English: I don’t agree with his opinion at all.
Japanese: 彼女とは駅で偶然会いました。
Kana: かのじょとはえきでぐうぜんあいました。
Romaji: Kanojo to wa eki de gūzen aimashita.
English: I met her by chance at the station.
Japanese: 彼は頭が良い。しかし、少し怠け者だ。
Kana: かれはあたまがよい。しかし、すこしなまけものだ。
Romaji: Kare wa atama ga yoi. Shikashi, sukoshi namakemono da.
English: He is smart. However, he’s a bit lazy.
Japanese: この件は然るべき部署に連絡してください。
Kana: このけんはしかるべきぶしょにれんらくしてください。
Romaji: Kono ken wa shikarubeki busho ni renraku shite kudasai.
English: Please contact the appropriate department regarding this matter.
Japanese: その店は美味しくて、しかも値段が安い。
Kana: そのみせはおいしくて、しかもねだんがやすい。
Romaji: Sono mise wa oishikute, shikamo nedan ga yasui.
English: That restaurant is delicious, and furthermore, the prices are cheap.
Japanese: この水は天然のミネラルウォーターです。
Kana: このみずはてんねんのミネラルウォーターです。
Romaji: Kono mizu wa tennen no mineraru uōtā desu.
English: This water is natural mineral water.
Japanese: この結果は必然だったと言えるでしょう。
Kana: このけっかはひつぜんだったといえるでしょう。
Romaji: Kono kekka wa hitsuzen datta to ieru deshō.
English: It can be said that this result was inevitable.
Japanese: 彼の提案は魅力的だ。然しながら、予算が問題だ。
Kana: かれのていあんはみりょくてきだ。しかしながら、よさんがもんだいだ。
Romaji: Kare no teian wa miryokuteki da. Shikashinagara, yosan ga mondai da.
English: His proposal is attractive. Nevertheless, the budget is an issue.
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