理所当然

Pronunciation: lǐ suǒ dāng rán Literal meaning: What reason dictates as natural

Origin & Usage

What principle (理) makes (所) properly (当) so (然). 理 is the grain or pattern of a thing, the reason it is as it is, so the phrase claims that something follows from the nature of the case rather than from anybody's preference. That is a strong claim, and it is often made too cheaply, which is why the phrase has a second life in criticism: 觉得理所当然 is to take something for granted, and the complaint is precisely that nobody checked whether the principle was there. Both senses are current, and the tone tells you which is meant.

Examples

English: "It's only natural that hard work leads to success."

Chinese: 努力工作会带来成功，这是理所当然的。