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本来

本來

běn lái

HSK 4

original, originally, at first

adverb

Individual characters

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Example Sentences

我本来打算今天去公园。

wǒ běnlái dǎsuàn jīntiān qù gōngyuán 。

I originally planned to go to the park today.

他本来应该来，但他生病了。

tā běnlái yīnggāi lái ， dàn tā shēngbìng le 。

He was supposed to come, but he got sick.

本来这是一个简单的问题。

běnlái zhè shì yígè jiǎndān de wèntí 。

Originally, this was a simple question.

Words with similar meanings

原本yuánběn

This word is a more formal way to express the notion of being original or initially as intended.

Words Starting With 本

undergraduate course; undergraduate (adjective)

本质běn zhì

essence; nature; innate character; intrinsic quality

本领běn lǐng

"skill; ability; capability

ability; skill; source material; original story

本人běn rén

the person himself; I (humble form used in speeches); oneself; myself; in person; personal

Words Ending With 来

从来cóng lái

always; at all times; never (if used in negative sentence)

原来yuán lái

original; former; originally; formerly; at first; so... actually

后来hòu lái

afterwards; later

将来jiāng lái

in the future; future; the future

since (a previous event)

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Grammar Points

Expressing "originally" with "benlai"

Comparing "benlai" and "yuanlai"

Public Lists with 本来

All words for the HSK 4 test

Individual characters

本běn · roots or stems of plants, origin

›来lái · to come, to arrive, to come round