so; thus; like that (这样，如此); right; correct (对，是); (suffix) in the state of; -ly (突然, 显然)
然 means so and thus: 然后 'then', 突然 'suddenly', 自然 'natural'.
GF0025–2021 character list · 二级WHOLE GLYPH & STRUCTURE
ZDIC's detailed account: 会意兼形声，下形上声 — the top is the sound piece, the four dots a transformed 火; 然 is the original graph of 燃 'to burn'.
WHOLE CHARACTER
so; thus; like that (这样，如此); right; correct (对，是); (suffix) in the state of; -ly (突然, 显然)
然 means so and thus: 然后 'then', 突然 'suddenly', 自然 'natural'.
ZDIC's detailed account: 会意兼形声，下形上声 — the top is the sound piece, the four dots a transformed 火; 然 is the original graph of 燃 'to burn'.
SOUND: THE DOG-MEAT PIECE 肰 (RÁN), WRITTEN 月 + 犬
dog meat (archaic)
An archaic graph (rán, written 月 + 犬); when a character keeps it as a piece, the sound role is stated on that character's page.
In 然: sound: the dog-meat piece 肰 (rán), written 月 + 犬 rán matches 肰's dictionary reading exactly in initial, final, and tone.
BOTTOM: THE FOUR FIRE DOTS (A TRANSFORMED 火)
fire (from 火)
The four-dot bottom fire form; not a standalone page.
In 然: bottom: the four fire dots (a transformed 火) Shown with its documented or clearly limited role.
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