Definition
然 is a bound form (b.f.) in Chinese — it doesn't appear alone but is part of many common words. It has several distinct senses depending on the compound: 'right/correct' in 不以为然; 'then' in 然后; 'however' in 然而. It also appears as a historical variant of 燃 (to burn) in classical texts.
b.f.
(bound form) rightcorrect (as in 不以为然)(bound form) sothen (as in 然后)(bound form) howeverbut (as in 然而)
Examples
- ，。Wǒmen xiān chīfàn, rán hòu qù sànbù.We'll eat first, then go for a walk.
- ，。Tā hěn nǔlì, rán ér méi chénggōng.He worked hard, yet didn't succeed.
- 。Tā duì zhège jìhuà bù yǐ wéi rán.He doesn't agree with this plan.
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