spontaneous; naturally arising; rising (of clouds)
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
2 senses · 5 examplesadjective
(of thoughts or feelings) to arise naturally; spontaneous
literaryCommonly used in the set phrase 油然而生. Describes emotions that emerge effortlessly without forced effort.
Jìng敬
mù慕
zhī之
xīn心
，
yóu油
rán然
ér而
shēng生
。
A feeling of admiration arose spontaneously.
Kàn看
zhe着
gù故
xiāng乡
de的
lǎo老
zhào照
piàn片
，
yī一
gǔ股
sī思
xiāng乡
zhī之
qíng情
yóu油
rán然
ér而
shēng生
。
Looking at old photos of his hometown, a wave of homesickness welled up spontaneously.
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Tīng听
dào到
zhè这
gè个
gǎn感
rén人
de的
gù故
shi事
，
jìng敬
yì意
yóu油
rán然
ér而
shēng生
。
Hearing this touching story, respect arose naturally.
adjective
(of clouds or vapor) to rise; to ascend
archaicClassical usage, often found in literary or historical texts describing natural phenomena.
Tiān天
yóu油
rán然
zuò作
yún云
，
pèi沛
rán然
xià下
yǔ雨
。
The sky clouded over naturally and rained heavily.
Shān山
diān巅
yún云
qì气
yóu油
rán然
ér而
qǐ起
。
Mist rose naturally from the mountain peak.