自然 zì rán
“nature; natural; naturally”
noun, adverb, adjectiveHSK 4 · 2021 list level 3
新HSK等级2025 HSK 3.0 syllabus level
自然 appears in the November 2025 exam syllabus in the following numbered entry. Levels refer to the listed reading and use, not every meaning.
- Entry 1981: 自然 zìrán — Level 4; official annotation 4 (名、形、副). PDF page 129
Separate from the HSK 2.0 and 2021 list labels above. Compare the three lists.
用法How to use 自然
自然 usually means "natural" or "naturally": ordinary, not forced, or happening as a matter of course. As an adjective it follows 很/不 (很自然, 不自然) or precedes 的 + noun; as an adverb it can take 地 for manner (自然地笑) or stand directly before a verb meaning "naturally/of course" (自然会同意). For "nature" as the natural world, everyday Chinese usually says 大自然.
例句Example sentences
- 他说话很自然，大家都很喜欢听。tā shuō huà hěn zì rán, dà jiā dōu hěn xǐ huan tīng.He speaks in a very natural way; everyone likes listening to him.
- 她自然地笑了笑，一点也不紧张。tā zì rán de xiào le xiào, yì diǎn yě bù jǐn zhāng.She smiled naturally, not nervous at all.
- 你只要认真练习，自然会说得好。nǐ zhǐ yào rèn zhēn liàn xí, zì rán huì shuō de hǎo.As long as you practice seriously, you will naturally be able to speak well.