然则 (rán zé) — (conjunction, formal/literary) in that case; then; but then

Definition

A formal/literary conjunction meaning 'in that case / then', used in classical-style prose. It draws a conclusion from a stated premise, stronger and more written than the everyday 那么.

conjunction
(conjunction, formal/literary) in that casethenbut then

Examples

  • ，然则？
    Cǐ shì yǐ dìng, rán zé rú hé chǔ zhì?
    This matter is settled; in that case, how should we handle it?
  • ，然则。
    Jūn ruò bù wǎng, rán zé wú dāng dú xíng.
    If you don't go, then I will go alone.
  • ，然则。
    Rǔ jì zhī cuò, rán zé dāng gǎi zhī.
    Since you know your mistake, then you should correct it.

Origin

Characters in this word

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 →

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

This origin belongs to the traditional form 則; 则 is its simplified writing.

  • 鼎鼎dǐngding, a bronze cauldron for cooking or sacrificial rituals
  • 刂刀dāoknife

The traditional form 則 pairs 鼎, a bronze cauldron, with 刂, a knife, possibly showing carving on a bronze vessel; the simplified 则 is a later shorthand.

Open 则 →

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