自然の理 (shizen no kotowari) - natural law/order
Grammar & Usage
How it works
This phrase is formed by the noun 自然 (shizen, 'nature'), the possessive particle の (no, 'of'), and the noun 理 (kotowari, 'reason/principle/law'). It functions syntactically as a noun phrase, often acting as the subject or complement in philosophical, literary, or reflective contexts.
Sample sentences
生老病死は自然の理であり、誰も避けることはできない。
Birth, aging, sickness, and death are the laws of nature, and no one can avoid them.
人間が自然の理に反して開発を続ければ、いつか大きなしっぺ返しを受けるだろう。
If humans continue to develop against the order of nature, they will eventually face severe consequences.
季節が巡り花が散るのも、すべては自然の理である。
The changing of seasons and the falling of blossoms are all part of the course of nature.
Quick facts
Mnemonic
Sounds like "The kanji 理 is typically read as 'ri' in on'yomi compounds (e.g., 理由, 物理), but here it uses the kun'yomi reading 'kotowari' to evoke a more profound, traditional, and literary nuance." — sign in for a creative story that makes this stick!
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Example
生老病死は自然の理であり、誰も避けることはできない。
Birth, aging, sickness, and death are the laws of nature, and no one can avoid them.
人間が自然の理に反して開発を続ければ、いつか大きなしっぺ返しを受けるだろう。
If humans continue to develop against the order of nature, they will eventually face severe consequences.
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