依然
yī rán HSK 5

English Meaning

📚 Example Sentences

他依然住在北京。
Tā yīrán zhù zài Běijīng.
He still lives in Beijing.
天气依然很冷。
Tiānqì yīrán hěn lěng.
The weather is still very cold.
她依然喜欢看电影。
Tā yīrán xǐhuan kàn diànyǐng.
She still likes watching movies.
他依然很忙。
Tā yīrán hěn máng.
He is still very busy.
天气依然很热。
Tiānqì yīrán hěn rè.
The weather is still very hot.

💡 Memory Tip

Break it down: 依 (yī) means 'to rely on' or 'according to,' and 然 (rán) means 'so' or 'thus.' Think of it as 'according to how it was, so it still is'—helping remember its meaning of 'still as before.'

📝 Usage Notes

This word is neutral in formality and can be used in both spoken and written Chinese, though it is slightly more common in formal or literary contexts. It is often used in narratives, reports, or discussions to describe ongoing issues, unchanged feelings, or persistent conditions.

📖 Grammar Points

依然 is typically placed before a verb or adjective in a sentence to modify it, e.g., '问题依然存在' (The problem still exists). It can also be used in conjunction with negative forms like 没有 to indicate something hasn't happened, as in the example sentence.

🏯 Cultural Notes

In Chinese culture, 依然 is sometimes used in poetry or expressive writing to convey enduring qualities, such as unchanging nature or steadfast emotions, reflecting values of perseverance and continuity.

🔄 Similar Words

Similar to 仍然 (réngrán), which also means 'still,' but 依然 carries a slightly more literary or emotional nuance, often implying a sense of nostalgia or resilience. 还是 (háishì) is more casual and used in everyday speech for 'still' or 'or.'

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