“shizen ni・shizen to”: Naturally / Spontaneously (without forcing) [JLPT N3]
By Nihongo to Japan · Updated July 3, 2026
Happening of its own accord, without human intervention
“shizen ni・shizen to”: Naturally / Without Realizing It
「自然に（しぜんに）・自然と（しぜんと）」 are adverbs meaning “naturally, without realizing it, without trying.” E.g. 「毎日使っていれば、自然に覚えるよ」 (use it daily and you'll learn it naturally), 「感動して、自然と涙が出た」 (so moved that tears came without my realizing). The key is that it happens without deliberate effort, of its own accord.
🧠 Core nuance: not by force, but unfolding on its own
The core is “not deliberate, comes about naturally”: not caused by effort or intent, but the result of natural development over time/circumstance. It carries a “no forcing, happens naturally” flavor. Unlike 勝手に (on its own / willfully, often negative), 自然に is neutral or even positive “naturally,” while 勝手に has a “without permission, selfish” negative feel.
📌 How to Connect
| Form | Nuance | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 自然に ＋ verb | naturally 〜 | 自然に治る |
| 自然と ＋ verb | synonym (と slightly colloquial/literary) | 自然と笑顔になる |
| (contrast) 勝手に | willfully, on its own (negative) | 勝手に決める |
💬 Example Sentences
- 毎日使っていれば、単語は自然に覚えるよ。(Use them daily and you'll learn the words naturally.) — comes naturally
- 感動して、自然と涙が出てきた。(So moved that tears came of their own accord.) — involuntary
- 時間が経てば、痛みも自然に消えていく。(Over time, the pain fades naturally too.) — natural process
- 嫌なことは、自然と忘れていくものだ。(Unpleasant things fade from memory naturally.) — without realizing
- 体は自然に回復した。(My body recovered on its own.) — without intervention
🔄 Compare: 自然に vs 勝手に vs ひとりでに vs 思わず
| Expression | Nuance | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 自然に／自然と | naturally (neutral/positive, of its own accord) | 自然に覚える |
| 勝手に | willfully / on its own (often negative) | 勝手に動く |
| ひとりでに | “automatically, by itself” (physically moves) | ドアがひとりでに開く |
| 思わず | “involuntarily, can't help but” (instant reaction) | 思わず叫んだ |
⚠️ Common Mistakes
- Confusing it with 勝手に: use 自然に for neutral “naturally”; 勝手に for “without permission / willfully” (negative).
- Using it with わざと: ✗ わざと自然と笑う (contradictory) → 自然と is non-deliberate, clashing with “on purpose.”
- Adding を: ✗ 自然とを覚える → 自然と is an adverb, modifying the verb directly (自然と覚える).
- 自然に vs 自然な: adverb is 自然に (naturally); the な-adjective is 自然な (a natural smile).
💡 Nuance & When to Use
自然に・自然と is a common adverb for “naturally, without realizing it” — for habit formation (you'll just learn it), emotion welling up (tears came on their own), or natural change (fades naturally), neutral and gentle. It makes narration feel effortless and unforced. Keep it distinct from the negative 勝手に (willfully). Fine in speech and writing. A must at N3.
🎯 JLPT Exam Tips
- Commonly tested at N3: 自然に/自然と = naturally, without realizing.
- Distinction: 自然に (neutral, of its own accord) vs 勝手に (willfully, negative).
- Opposite in meaning to わざと (on purpose) / 無理に (forcibly) — a common contrast.
🖊️ 練習題（5題）
Q1. 「毎日使っていれば、___覚えるよ。」（自然就會記住）
(A) 自然に (B) 勝手に (C) わざと (D) せっかく
Q2. 「感動して、___涙が出た。」（不自覺流淚）
(A) 自然と (B) わざと (C) 無理に (D) せっかく
Q3. 「自然と忘れていく」の意味は?
(A) 自然而然、不知不覺地淡忘
(B) 故意忘記
(C) 永遠不忘
(D) 強迫自己忘
Q4. 「自然と」と「勝手に」の違いは?
(A) 自然と＝自然而然(中性);勝手に＝擅自(常負面)
(B) 兩者完全相同
(C) 自然と＝擅自
(D) 勝手に＝自然而然
Q5. 用法が自然なのは?
(A) 体は自然に回復した。 (B) 自然に勝手に壊した。
(C) わざと自然と笑う。 (D) 自然とを覚える。
答案解析
1. (A) 自然に ── 自然就會記住。
2. (A) 自然と ── 不自覺流淚。
3. (A) ── 自然而然淡忘。
4. (A) ── 自然と 中性;勝手に 負面。
5. (A) ── 「自然に回復した」自然。