Dictionary🇨🇳 Chinese → 🇺🇸 English
本来
běnlái
Description
“本来”的意思是“原来”或者“一开始的时候”。
The meaning of "本来" is "originally" or "at the beginning."
我们常常用它来说事情原来的样子,或者本应该怎么样。
We often use it to describe how things originally were or how they should have been.
Meanings
本来běnlái
originally; at first
我本来想去,可是下雨了。
I originally wanted to go, but it rained.
本来běnlái
as a matter of course; naturally; should be
这件事本来就不难。
This matter wasn't difficult to begin with.
Related words
Notes
- Etymology
本 (root/origin) + 来 (come), literally meaning "from the origin."
- Nuance
本来 often implies a change from the original plan or state.
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