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显然 (xiǎn rán) — obvious; evident; clear

Definition

Adjective meaning 'obviously, clearly,' used to state that something is evident from the facts. Often used as an adverbial before a clause (∼他不在家). Close to 明显 but 明显 also means 'visible / distinct,' while 显然 is more about logical conclusion.

adjective
obviousevidentclear

Examples

  • 显然。
    xiǎn rán Tā bú zài jiā.
    Obviously he's not at home.
  • 显然。
    Zhè ge wèn tí xiǎn rán hěn nán.
    This question is clearly very difficult.
  • 显然。
    xiǎn rán Nǐ yǐ jīng zhī dào le dá àn.
    Evidently you already know the answer.

Origin

Derived word
构词法gòucífǎ
后缀hòuzhuìSuffix

A fixed syllable at the end that turns the word into a noun, a person, a place or the like.

显xiǎnclear
然ránsuffix

显 gives clear, and 然 adds the manner clearly.

Characters in this word

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 顯; 显 is its simplified writing.

  • 日日rìsun
  • 絲絲sīsilk
  • 頁頁yèperson's head

For 显, the traditional form 顯 is made of 日 (sun), 絲 (silk), and 頁 (person's head).

Open 显 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
火火huǒfire
Sound part声符shēngfú
肰
肰rán然rán
Same sound today

然 is made from 肰, which gives the sound, and 火, which shows fire, matching the old sense 'to burn'.

Open 然 →
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