理所当然
HSK 6- Emphasis
Structure (结构 jiégòu)
Meaning (意思 yìsi)
Used to indicate that something is natural, reasonable according to common sense, and beyond doubt.
Explanation (解释 jiěshì)
The idiom 理所当然 (lǐ suǒ dāng rán) means "in accordance with reason; only natural; a matter of course." It is used to describe a situation, action, or outcome that is completely reasonable and consistent with common sense, requiring no explanation or questioning.
It can function as a predicate (typically with 是...的), as an adverbial modifier for a verb (typically accompanied by 地), or as an attributive modifier for a noun (accompanied by 的).
Examples (例句 lìjù)(5)
- 子女照顾父母是理所当然的。繁: 子女照顧父母是理所當然的。Zǐnǚ zhàogù fùmǔ shì lǐ suǒ dāng rán de.
Children caring for their parents is only natural.
- 他理所当然地认为自己是对的。繁: 他理所當然地認為自己是對的。Tā lǐ suǒ dāng rán de rènwéi zìjǐ shì duì de.
He assumed as a matter of course that he was right.
- 努力就会成功，这是理所当然的。繁: 努力就會成功，這是理所當然的。Nǔlì jiù huì chénggōng, zhè shì lǐ suǒ dāng rán de.
Effort leads to success, this is only natural.
- 别把他的帮助看作理所当然的事。繁: 別把他的幫助看作理所當然的事。Bié bǎ tā de bāngzhù kànzuò lǐ suǒ dāng rán de shì.
Don't take his help for granted.
- 他赢了比赛，理所当然地很高兴。繁: 他贏了比賽，理所當然地很高興。Tā yíng le bǐsài, lǐ suǒ dāng rán de hěn gāoxìng.
He won the match, so naturally he was very happy.
Common mistakes
- Wrong:他帮助我，我很理所当然。Correct:我认为他帮助我是理所当然的。
理所当然 describes matters or facts, not emotions. You must clarify what thing is natural or expected, not who is naturally inclined to do something.