How many strokes does the Chinese character "然" (rán) have?
"然" has 12 strokes in Simplified Chinese. Its primary dictionary radical is 灬, and you can animate or practice writing every stroke in order using the interactive grid on this page.
Ready · 12 strokes
Speed:
Auspicious & Poetic Naming
Name: Highly Recommended
Tattoo: Better in a Phrase
然 Natural in Chinese (rán)
Dictionary Summary
然 (rán) means correct; right; so. Simplified form has 12 strokes under radical 灬.
Pinyin & Tonerán (Tone 2)
Simplified / Trad.然 / 然
Radical灬
Total Strokes12 strokes
StructureTop–Bottom (肰 + 灬)
Unicode / LevelU+7136 · HSK 2
Native Naming & Tattoo Safety Review
🪪 Using “然” in a Chinese Name · Highly Recommended (Unisex)
One of the most versatile modern second-syllable naming characters in Chinese (e.g., 安然, 欣然, 浩然, 悠然, 亦然). Adds rhythm, ease, and unforced elegance.
✒️ Using “然” for a Tattoo · Better in a Phrase
On its own 然 functions as a classical suffix; shines in 自然 (nature/effortlessness) or 泰然 (composed and calm).
Character Etymology & CC-CEDICT Meanings
Origin & Visual Logic: Originally depicted roasting over fire (灬); over millennia it evolved into 'thus, naturally so'.
| Traditional / Simplified | Pinyin | CC-CEDICT Definitions |
|---|---|---|
| 然 / 然 | rán | correct; right; so |
Lexical entries derived from CC-CEDICT (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Make Me a Hanzi (APL / LGPL-3.0).
Common Words & Idioms Using “然”
| Chinese Word | Pinyin | English Meaning | Audio |
|---|---|---|---|
| 自然 | zìrán | nature; natural | |
| 泰然 | tàirán | calm and self-possessed | |
| 安然 | ānrán | safely and peacefully |
English Names Using “然” in Our Curated Recommendations
See how native speakers pair 然 (rán) into modern Chinese names:
Frequently Asked Questions
Is "然" good to use in a real Chinese name?
Rating: Highly Recommended (Unisex). One of the most versatile modern second-syllable naming characters in Chinese (e.g., 安然, 欣然, 浩然, 悠然, 亦然). Adds rhythm, ease, and unforced elegance.
Is "然" safe as a Chinese character tattoo?
Tattoo rating: Better in a Phrase. On its own 然 functions as a classical suffix; shines in 自然 (nature/effortlessness) or 泰然 (composed and calm).