顺其自然
顺其自然 (shùn qí zì rán) literally means “follow its natural course” and expresses “let nature take its course”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving life philosophy. It originates from ancient Chinese literature and remains commonly used in modern Mandarin.
Also searched as: shun qi zi ran, shun qi zi ran,顺其自然 meaning, 顺其自然 in english
Let nature take its course
Pronunciation: shùn qí zì rán
Literal meaning: Follow its natural course
Origin & Usage
This idiom describes following (顺) the natural (自然) course of things (其). It embodies Daoist philosophy of wu wei (non-action) - working with natural forces rather than against them. The phrase advises acceptance of circumstances and allowing events to unfold without forced intervention. It represents wisdom in knowing when to act and when to allow natural processes to proceed. Modern usage counsels patience and acceptance in situations beyond one's control.
Examples
English: "Instead of forcing things, she decided to let events unfold naturally."
Chinese: 她决定顺其自然，不再强求。
Discover a new Chinese idiom every day with our iOS app.
Related Chinese Idioms
Similar idioms about life philosophy
炉火纯青
lú huǒ chún qīng
Reach perfection; master completely
Learn more →
得心应手
dé xīn yìng shǒu
Work with great ease; have complete mastery
Learn more →
一帆风顺
yī fān fēng shùn
Plain sailing; everything going smoothly
Learn more →
千里迢迢
qiān lǐ tiáo tiáo
Travel a great distance
Learn more →
鞠躬尽瘁
jū gōng jìn cuì
Devote oneself completely; work until exhaustion
Learn more →
披肝沥胆
pī gān lì dǎn
Give one's all; be completely sincere
Learn more →
民富国强
mín fù guó qiáng
Prosperous people and powerful nation
Learn more →
国泰民安
guó tài mín ān
National peace and public security
Learn more →
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 顺其自然 mean in English?
顺其自然 (shùn qí zì rán) literally translates to “Follow its natural course” and is used to express “Let nature take its course”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Life Philosophy category.
When is 顺其自然 used?
Situation: This idiom applies when describing situations involving let nature take its course.
What is the pinyin for 顺其自然?
The pinyin pronunciation for 顺其自然 is “shùn qí zì rán”.