TOPIK · Level 118
15 words
Korean word
본래
Pronunciation
Romanizationpollae
Meaning
- adverboriginally
Example
이 가게는 본래 가구점이었다.i ka ge neun pol lae ka gu jeo mi eot tta
This store was originally a furniture store.
More examples
그 일은 본래 계획에 없었다.keu i reun pol lae kye hoe ge eop sseot tta
That task was not originally in the plan.
Core concept
The state or character something had from the beginning, whether or not it remains that way now.
Common phrases
본래는pol lae neun
originally
본래부터pol lae bu teo
from the beginning
Similar words
원래wollae: Shows the starting condition or nature of something before it changes.
처음부터cheoeumbuteo: States that the same condition has continued since the beginning.
애초에aechoe: Highlights the first plan or purpose behind an action or matter.
Definition in Korean
어떤 일이나 상태가 처음부터 그러했음을 나타내는 부사.eo tteon i ri na sang tae ga cheo eum bu teo keu reo hae sseu meul na ta nae neun pu sa
Word origin
It is a Sino-Korean formation linking the ideas of an origin and coming, which helps connect the word with a condition at the beginning.
Usage tips
- In Korean writing, this word often gives a statement a formal tone when it looks back to an earlier state.
Other meanings
- by natureadverb
Opposites
- 나중에najungelateradverb