然

JLPT N3

So, nature

Readings

On’yomi: ゼン, ネン (zen, nen)

Kun’yomi: しか, しか(り) (shika, shika(ri))

• しか – so, in that way • しか(り) – to be so, to be that way (classical form)

Structure

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Detailed Explanation

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Mnemonic

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Etymology

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Visual Tip

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Vocabulary

自然

しぜん

nature

当然

とうぜん

natural/obvious

然後

ぜんご

after that

偶然

ぐうぜん

by chance

突然

とつぜん

suddenly

Example Sentences

自然が好きです。

しぜんがすきです。

I like nature.

当然です。

とうぜんです。

It is natural.

然後に続きます。

ぜんごにつづきます。

After that it continues.

偶然会いました。

ぐうぜんあいました。

We met by chance.

突然雨が降ります。

とつぜんあめがふります。

It suddenly rains.

Cultural Note

🌿 然 deeply connects with Japanese philosophy and aesthetics.
• It forms the heart of the word 自然 (しぜん), meaning nature or the natural state, reflecting Japan’s reverence for harmony with nature.
• It’s also seen in 当然 (とうぜん) and 必然 (ひつぜん) — expressing logical consequence or inevitable reality, resonating with the Japanese appreciation of cause and effect.
• In literature and Zen philosophy, “然” suggests acceptance — things are as they are.