Chinese Conversation · Level 31
90 words
Chinese word
本来
Pronunciation
Pinyinběn lái
Meaning
- adverboriginally
Example
他本来不打算来。tā běn lái bù dǎ suàn lái
He originally had no plans to come.
More examples
我本来以为他已经走了。wǒ běn lái yǐ wéi tā yǐ jīng zǒu le
I originally thought he had already left.
Core concept
The built-in state a thing would show when it follows its own nature instead of outside changes.
Common phrases
本来以为běn lái yǐ wéi
originally thought
本来不打算běn lái bù dǎ suàn
originally did not plan to
本来就běn lái jiù
naturally
Similar words
原来yuán lái: Indicates that something had been so from the start, sometimes revealing it later.
Definition in Chinese
表示按照事物固有性质或原则应有的状态、特征或结果，带有“理所当然”、“按道理”的含义，用于对比现实与应有情况。biǎo shì àn zhào shì wù gù yǒu xìng zhì huò yuán zé yīng yǒu de zhuàng tài tè zhēng huò jié guǒ dài yǒu lí suǒ dāng rán àn dào lǐ de hán yì yòng yú duì bǐ xiàn shí yǔ yīng yǒu qíng kuàng
Word origin
本 (běn, "root or basis") + 来 (lái, "come") presents a state as coming from its basic nature, which explains both its original condition and its expected one.
Usage tips
- This adverb often introduces a plan, condition, or result that later turns out differently, helping mark a gap between expectation and reality.
Other meanings
- naturallyadverb
Opposites
- 后来hòu láilateradverb