Definition
然则 is a formal/literary conjunction meaning 'in that case' or 'then', used to introduce a conclusion or consequence based on a preceding statement. It is more classical than 那么 and appears in written Chinese, historical texts, or formal speeches. You can use it to mean 'that being so, then...' or 'but then...'.
conj.
(conjunction, formal/literary) in that casethenbut then
Examples
- ，然则？Cǐ shì yǐ dìng, rán zé rúhé chǔzhì?This matter is settled; in that case, how should we handle it?
- ，然则。Jūn ruò bù wǎng, rán zé wú dāng dú xíng.If you don't go, then I will go alone.
- ，然则。Rǔ jì zhī cuò, rán zé dāng gǎi zhī.Since you know your mistake, then you should correct it.
Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.