Translation and Meaning of: 自然 - shizen
The Japanese word 自然[しぜん] is one of those that seems simple at first glance, but carries layers of meaning deeply connected to Japan's culture and philosophy. If you are looking to understand its usage, translation, or how it fits into the everyday life of the Japanese, you have come to the right place. In this article, we will explore from the basic meaning to curiosities about how this word reflects both traditional and modern values.
While in Portuguese "natureza" may seem like a direct translation, 自然 goes beyond the physical sense. It appears in everyday expressions, proverbs, and even in discussions about lifestyle. Here at Suki Nihongo, our dictionary details each nuance, but let's move on to uncover what makes this word so special.
Meaning and translation of 自然
Translating "自然" simply as "nature" reduces its scope. In Japanese, it encompasses both the natural world (forests, rivers) and the idea of spontaneity. When someone says "自然のまま" (shizen no mama), it means "as it is," without human interference. This duality is essential to understanding why the word is so frequent in the language.
A common mistake is to believe that 自然 (shizen) only refers to landscapes. In sentences like "自然に笑う" (shizen ni warau), it describes a natural, unforced smile. This abstract usage shows how the term permeates from informal conversations to philosophical texts, something that the Suki Nihongo dictionary explains with real examples.
Origin and components of kanjis
The kanjis 自然 (自 e 然) have curious stories. 自, by itself, represents "oneself," while 然 originally meant "to burn" but gained the meaning of "the state of things." Together, they form the idea of "that which exists on its own" – a definition that resonates in both Shinto and Japanese Buddhism.
It's interesting to note that 然 is the same kanji used in words like 当然 (touzen – obvious) and 突然 (totsuzen – sudden). This connection helps with memorization: think of 自然 as "the original state of things," without abrupt changes. Sources like Kanjipedia confirm this semantic evolution.
Cultural and philosophical use
In Japan, 自然 is not just a concept, but a value. It appears in 侘寂 (wabi-sabi), an aesthetic that celebrates natural imperfections, and in 森の思想 (mori no shisou – "philosophy of the forest"). Even companies use the term in slogans to convey authenticity, such as in 自然派 (shizenha – "natural line") products.
Animes like "Princess Mononoke" illustrate this cultural relationship well. When the characters talk about 自然の摂理 (shizen no setsuri – "natural order"), they refer to laws that humans should not disturb. This respect shapes everything from environmental policies to daily habits, such as 森林浴 (shinrin-yoku – "forest bathing").
Tips for using 自然 correctly
To avoid traps, remember: 自然 functions as both a noun and an adverb. In "自然が好き" (shizen ga suki), it is a noun ("I like nature"). In "自然に話す" (shizen ni hanasu), it becomes an adverb ("to speak naturally"). This flexibility explains why it appears in 0.1% of Japanese texts – a very high frequency for a non-basic term.
A useful curiosity: in Kansai, the pronunciation can turn into "じねん" (jinen), but the writing remains the same. If you hear this in dramas or songs, don't be confused – it's the same word. And be careful with false cognates: "natural" in English doesn't always correspond to 自然, as in "natural hair color" (天然の髪色 – tennen no kamiiro).
Vocabulary
Expand your vocabulary with related words:
Synonyms and similar words
- 自然界 (Shizen Kai) - Natural world, the set of all non-artificial things.
- 自然環境 (Shizen Kankyō) - Natural environment refers to the physical and biological aspects of nature.
- 大自然 (Dai Shizen) - Great nature emphasizes the vastness and magnificence of nature.
- 自然の中 (Shizen no Naka) - Within nature, it refers to being immersed in or surrounded by nature.
- 自然美 (Shizen Bi) - Beautiful nature refers to the beauty found in natural elements.
- 自然風景 (Shizen Fūkei) - Natural landscape refers to natural views and scenes.
- 自然物 (Shizen Butsu) - Natural objects refer to any objects that occur in nature.
- 自然科学 (Shizen Kagaku) - Natural sciences, the study of sciences that involve the natural world.
- 自然哲学 (Shizen Tetsugaku) - Philosophy of nature addresses philosophical questions related to nature.
- 自然主義 (Shizen Shugi) - Naturalism, a philosophy that emphasizes nature in the understanding of the world.
Related words
Romaji: shizen
Kana: しぜん
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n3
Translation / Meaning: nature; spontaneous
Meaning in English: nature;spontaneous
Definition: The original form and state that have not been touched by human hands.
Quick Access
- Vocabulary
- Writing
- Sentences
How to Write in Japanese - (自然) shizen
See below a step-by-step guide on how to write the word by hand in Japanese. (自然) shizen:
Example Sentences - (自然) shizen
See below some example sentences:
Shokubutsu wa shizen no utsukushisa o hyōgen suru
Plants express the beauty of nature.
Plants express the beauty of nature.
- 植物 (shokubutsu) - plant
- は (wa) - Topic particle
- 自然 (shizen) - nature
- の (no) - Possession particle
- 美しさ (utsukushisa) - beauty
- を (wo) - direct object particle
- 表現する (hyougen suru) - express
Jumoku wa shizen no okurimono desu
Trees are gifts from nature.
Trees are natural gifts.
- 樹木 (jumoku) - trees
- は (wa) - Topic particle
- 自然 (shizen) - nature
- の (no) - Possessive particle
- 贈り物 (okurimono) - gift, gift
- です (desu) - verb to be, to stay
Ki wa shizen no megumi desu
Wood is a blessing from nature.
Trees are the blessings of nature.
- 木 (ki) - tree
- は (wa) - Topic particle
- 自然 (shizen) - nature
- の (no) - Possession particle
- 恵み (megumi) - blessing, grace
- です (desu) - Verb to be/estar in the present
Saishuu wa shizen to no chouwa wo taisetsu ni suru katsudou desu
Collection is an activity that values harmony with nature.
Collection is an activity that values harmony with nature.
- 採集 - collection
- は - Topic particle
- 自然 - nature
- と - connecting particle
- の - Possession particle
- 調和 - harmony
- を - direct object particle
- 大切にする - to value
- 活動 - activity
- です - verb ser (polite form)
Sangaku wa utsukushii shizen no keshiki desu
The mountains are beautiful natural landscapes.
The mountains are beautiful natural landscapes.
- 山岳 - mountains
- は - Topic particle
- 美しい - beautiful
- 自然 - nature
- の - Possession particle
- 景色 - landscape
- です - Verb to be/estar in the present
Ittai ni wa utsukushii shizen ga takusan arimasu
There are a lot of beautiful nature in the area.
- 一帯 - region, area
- には - particle indicating location
- 美しい - Beautiful, nice
- 自然 - nature
- が - particle that indicates subject
- たくさん - many, much
- あります - exist, be present
Kyūryō wa utsukushii shizen no keshiki desu
The hill is a beautiful natural landscape.
- 丘陵 - hills
- は - Topic particle
- 美しい - pretty
- 自然 - nature
- の - Possessive particle
- 景色 - landscape
- です - is
Kokutei kōen wa utsukushii shizen ga takusan arimasu
Kokutei National Park has a lot of beautiful nature.
Kokusai Park has a lot of beautiful nature.
- 国定公園 - National park
- は - Topic particle
- 美しい - pretty
- 自然 - Nature
- が - Subject particle
- たくさん - Very
- あります - They exist
Zōgen suru koto wa shizen no setsuri desu
Increasing or decreasing is a natural action.
- 増減する - increase or decrease
- こと - noun that indicates an action or event
- は - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
- 自然 - nature
- の - particle that indicates possession or belonging
- 摂理 - natural order, law of nature
- です - Verb to be/estar in the present
Tensai wa ningen no chikara de wa fusegikirenai shizen no chikara desu
Natural disaster is a natural power that cannot be prevented by human power.
- 天災 - Natural Disasters
- は - Topic particle
- 人間 - Human being
- の - Possessive particle
- 力 - power, strength
- では - particle indicating negation or restriction
- 防ぎきれない - cannot be completely prevented
- 自然 - nature
- の - Possessive particle
- 力 - power, strength
- です - Verb to be/estar in the present
Other Words of this Type: noun
See other words from our dictionary that are also: noun
