天然（てんねん、tenneん）
- natural

The Japanese word 天然 (てんねん, *tennen*) has two primary meanings. ⚫︎ Firstly, it means "natural" or "unprocessed," referring to something in its original, untouched state, like natural resources or materials. ⚫︎ Secondly, and more commonly in everyday conversation, it describes a person's character, specifically someone who is naturally innocent, naive, and often a little air-headed or oblivious. It implies a charming, almost childlike, simplicity. This person might say or do things that are unintentionally funny or unexpected because they don't overthink things. ⚫︎ 天然 can be used both to describe things from nature and to describe people's character. ⚫︎ It is important to note the nuance of this second meaning is generally positive, implying a certain endearing quality.

⚫︎ 天然の木材 Translation: Natural wood ⚫︎ 彼女は本当に天然だね。 Translation: She is really a 天然, isn't she? (She's really a bit of an airhead.) ⚫︎ 天然水 Translation: Natural water

⚫︎ You can use 天然 to describe: ⚫︎ natural resources (e.g., 天然ガス - natural gas, 天然資源 - natural resources). ⚫︎ foods that are unprocessed (e.g., 天然素材- natural material) ⚫︎ the character of a person. ⚫︎ When describing a person, it is often used when talking about someone who is a little spacey or unaware of social cues, but in a way that is seen as charming or cute. ⚫︎ It is often used in casual conversation and with people you know well.

⚫︎ The word 天然 is written with the kanji 天然, or hiragana てんねん. ⚫︎ The kanji is the most common way to write it. ⚫︎ There are no variations in the okurigana.

⚫︎ For the "natural" meaning: 自然の (*shizen no* - natural). ⚫︎ For the "naive/airheaded" meaning: ⚫︎ おっとりした (*ottori shita* - gentle, easygoing, slow-paced) ⚫︎ うっかりした (*ukkari shita* - careless, absentminded) ⚫︎ 純粋な (*junsui na* - pure, innocent) ⚫︎ 無邪気な (*mujaki na* - innocent, childlike)

⚫︎ For the "natural" meaning: 人工の (*jinkou no* - artificial, man-made), 合成の (*gousei no* - synthetic). ⚫︎ For the "naive/airheaded" meaning: ⚫︎ ずる賢い (*zurugashikoi* - sly, cunning). ⚫︎ 抜け目ない (*nukeme nai* - shrewd, astute).

このジュースは天然果汁100%です。 ・Translation: This juice is 100% natural fruit juice. ・Explanation: This sentence uses 天然 to describe the juice, indicating it is made from unprocessed fruit.

あの人、ちょっと天然なところがあるけど、憎めないよね。 ・Translation: That person has a bit of a 天然 side, but you can't help but like them, right? ・Explanation: This sentence describes someone's character using 天然, implying they are a bit spacey but endearing.

⚫︎ 天然 is made up of two kanji: 天 (*ten*), meaning "heaven" or "nature," and 然 (*nen*), meaning "thus," "so," or "natural." ⚫︎ Together, the kanji's meaning combines to indicate something that is naturally occurring, not artificial or man-made. ⚫︎ The usage to describe a person's character evolved from this basic meaning, suggesting a nature-given innocence or simplicity.