果然
guǒrán · HSK 3
as expected
🍎✅ 果 = fruit + 然 = so/thus → fruit-so = sure enough, as expected
果 means fruit/result, 然 means so/thus or in that way. Together the literal sense is roughly 'the result is so' — the outcome matches what was predicted, hence 'sure enough' or 'as expected'.
果 — fruit shape 田-like top + tree 木
果 is a pictograph: early forms show a tree (木) with round fruit hanging on its branches, later stylized into the 田-like top. Its original meaning was 'fruit', which extended to 'result, outcome' — the fruit of an action — and to 'resolute, decisive'.