Japanese Conversation · Level 59
75 words
Japanese word
本来
Pronunciation
Romajihonrai
Meaning
- adverboriginally
Example
私は本来明日来る予定でした。watashi wa hon rai asu ku ru yo tei de shi ta
I was originally supposed to come tomorrow.
More examples
本来なら、私たちはもっと早く出発するはずです。hon rai na ra watashi ta chi wa mo tto haya ku shup patsu su ru ha zu de su
Under normal circumstances, we should leave much earlier.
Core concept
Shows the original condition or essential nature of something rather than a later change or temporary situation.
Common phrases
本来はhon rai wa
originally
本来ならhon rai na ra
if things had gone as they should
Similar words
元々motomoto: Describes a state or fact that existed from the beginning.
Definition in Japanese
もともとの状態や本質に照らして。mo to mo to no jō tai ya hon shitsu ni te ra shi te
Word origin
本来 (honrai) is a Sino-Japanese compound formed from 本 (hon, "origin") and 来 (rai, "come"), with a meaning connected to an original condition.
Usage tips
- In everyday conversation, 本来は (honrai wa) commonly presents an expected situation that differs from what actually happens.
Other meanings
- essentiallyadverb
- primarilyadverb