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Expressing "originally" with 本来 ("ben3lai2")

本来 běnlái

Adverb
HSK 4

Structure

Subj. + 本来 + 是 +（不）[要 / 会 / 应该] + Verb + 的，[但是 / 可是 / 不过]... Subj. + 本来 + 就... Subj. + 本来 + 就 + 很 / 不 + Adj. Subj. + 本来 + 就 + 会 / 要 / 得 / 应该 + Verb

Translations

  • originally

Definition

表示事物原本的状况或道理上应该如此。

Originally; at first; it goes without saying; of course.

Usage

可以放在句首或句中，修饰动词或整个句子。常用于对比现在与过去的不同，或者表示某种理所当然的情况。

It can be placed at the beginning or middle of a sentence, modifying the verb or the whole sentence. It is often used to contrast the current situation with the past, or to indicate that something is obvious or should be the case.

Examples

  • 1 他本来是个老师，现在改行做翻译了。 (He used to be a teacher, but now he has switched to translation.)
  • 2 这件事本来就应该这样做。 (This matter should have been done this way originally.)
  • 3 我本来想去看电影，但是临时有事没去成。 (I originally wanted to go to the movies, but something came up and I couldn't go.)
  • 4 这里本来是一片森林，现在变成了城市。 (This place was originally a forest, now it has become a city.)
  • 5 你本来可以成功的，可惜放弃了努力。 (You could have succeeded originally, but unfortunately you gave up trying.)

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