当然 dāng rán
“only natural; as it should be; certainly”
adverb, attributiveHSK 3 · 2021 list level 3Traditional 當然
新HSK等级2025 HSK 3.0 syllabus level
当然 appears in the November 2025 exam syllabus in the following numbered entry. Levels refer to the listed reading and use, not every meaning.
- Entry 581: 当然 dāngrán — Level 3; official annotation 3 (副). PDF page 94
Separate from the HSK 2.0 and 2021 list labels above. Compare the three lists.
用法How to use 当然
当然 means "of course" or "certainly" and is used to say that something is obvious or expected. It often comes before a verb or adjective, or at the start of a reply. Common patterns are 当然可以, 当然会, and 当然了.
例句Example sentences
- 当然可以，你想用我的手机就用吧。dāng rán kě yǐ, nǐ xiǎng yòng wǒ de shǒu jī jiù yòng ba.Of course you can; use my phone if you want.
- 他是中国人，当然会说中文。tā shì zhōng guó rén, dāng rán huì shuō zhōng wén.He is Chinese, so of course he can speak Chinese.