What does ～て当然だ mean? Japanese grammar N2

Forming it

How to use it

Asserts that a result is entirely reasonable given the cause. The first clause usually states the reason.

• 「～て当然だ」 = it's only natural that…: 「毎日勉強しているのだから、合格して当然だ」.
• The sentence always has (or implies) a REASON before it — without a reason, it sounds incomplete.
• Close to 「～のも無理はない」 (understandable, leaning toward sympathy) and 「～はずだ」 (logical inference). 「て当然だ」 is the most assertive.

Examples

• 毎日(まいにち)あれだけ勉強(べんきょう)しているのだから、合格(ごうかく)して当然(とうぜん)だ。

  Studying that much every day, of course he passed.

• 約束(やくそく)を三(さん)回(かい)も破(やぶ)られたのだから、彼女(かのじょ)が怒(おこ)って当然(とうぜん)だ。

  Having been let down three times, of course she is angry.

Keep in mind

• There must be a reason in the preceding clause.
• Not used to vaguely refer to something that hasn't happened.

Common mistakes

• Wrong合格(ごうかく)して当然(とうぜん)だから、勉強(べんきょう)しなくてもいい。

  Studying like that every day, of course passing is only natural.

  Correct毎日(まいにち)勉強(べんきょう)しているのだから、合格(ごうかく)して当然(とうぜん)だ。

  「て当然だ」 is a conclusion drawn FROM a reason, not a premise for further reasoning.

• Wrong彼(かれ)は怒(おこ)るて当然(とうぜん)だ。

  It's only natural that he's angry.

  Correct彼(かれ)は怒(おこ)って当然(とうぜん)だ。

  Must attach the て FORM.

Exam tips

• 「て当然だ」 = of course (there must be a reason in the first clause).

Related patterns

• ～のも無理はない
• ～はずだ
• ～わけだ