显然

xiǎn rán

clearly; evidently; obviously

HSK 5

Character Breakdown

Usage of 显然

The adverb 显然 is used to indicate that something is clear or obvious to the speaker or listener. It often appears at the beginning of a sentence or clause to emphasize the evident nature of a fact or situation.

Common Collocations

  • 显然 + statement: to highlight an obvious fact.
  • 显然/ + adjective: to compare and show clear superiority or difference.

Nuances

Using 显然 implies that the speaker assumes the information is self-evident or easily inferred. It is more formal than some synonyms like 明显 and is often used in written or formal spoken Chinese.

Avoiding Confusion

Do not confuse 显然 with 明显; 显然 often stresses logical clarity or certainty, while 明显 can be more about perceptible or visible clarity. For example, 显然 (It is clearly that he is wrong) stresses logical certainty, whereas 明显错误 (an obvious mistake) stresses perceptible error.

Example Sentences

显然他已经知道了这个消息。

Xiǎnrán tā yǐjīng zhīdào le zhège xiāoxi.

It is obvious that he already knows this news.

显然,这个方案比之前的更有效。

Xiǎnrán, zhège fāng'àn bǐ zhīqián de gèng yǒuxiào.

Obviously, this plan is more effective than the previous one.

他的态度显然有些冷淡。

Tā de tàidu xiǎnrán yǒuxiē lěngdàn.

His attitude is clearly somewhat cold.