自 然(しぜん)と

しぜんと

adverb

naturally; without trying; before one knows it

1. naturally; of its own accord; without conscious effort

Describes something that comes about on its own, especially a feeling, habit, or ability that develops without anyone working at it. The everyday, conversational member of this group.

自然(しぜん)と笑顔(えがお)になった。

A smile came to my face without my meaning it to.

毎日(まいにち)聞(き)いていれば自然(しぜん)と覚(おぼ)えるよ。

If you listen every day, you'll pick it up naturally.

同(おな)じ時間(じかん)に通(かよ)っているうちに、自然(しぜん)と話(はな)すようになった。

As we kept commuting at the same hour, we naturally started talking.

Usage

自然(しぜん)と is an adverb of manner or process and modifies the verb directly. It differs from 自然(しぜん)に, which is used both this way and in the sense "in a natural manner, not artificially" (自然(しぜん)に話(はな)す = to speak in a relaxed, unforced way).

Common collocations

自然(しぜん)と覚(おぼ)える: to learn without trying
自然(しぜん)と涙(なみだ)が出(で)る: tears come by themselves
自然(しぜん)と足(あし)が向(む)く: to find oneself heading somewhere

Similar words

おのずと: naturally — more literary, about the logic of things rather than personal experience
ひとりでに: by itself — physical events with no agent; odd with feelings
いつの間(ま)にか: before one knows it — stresses not noticing, rather than absence of effort

Related Words

Related: おのずと (naturally (more literary))

Related: 自然(しぜん)に (naturally; in a natural manner)

Compare: ひとりでに (by itself)

Compare: いつの間(ま)にか (before one knows it)

Compare: おのずから (naturally)

general

Added 2026.8.1 6:20 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02

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