The word 当然 is formed through the conceptual blending of its two components: 当, which carries the sense of "to bear" or "to be in the position of", and 然, which means "so" or "thus". Together, they create the idea of "being thus" or "bearing the quality of being so", which logically and naturally evolved to express the meaning of "as it should be" or "without a doubt". This formation captures a state of inherent correctness or expected outcome, yielding the modern meaning of "of course" or "naturally".