本来
běnlái
Originally, actually
How to say “originally” in Chinese with 本来 (běnlái)
Subj. + 本来 (běnlái) + Verb / Adj.
本来 (běn lái) — originally
HSK 4Adverbs
Subj. + 本来 (běnlái) + Verb / Adj.
HSK 4Adverbs本来 (běn lái) — originally
Rule structure
本来 (běnlái) indicates an original state or fact that may have changed later. It often pairs with 就 (jiù) for emphasis and contrasts with 后来 (hòulái).
Rule structure
本来 (běnlái) indicates an original state or fact that may have changed later. It often pairs with 就 (jiù) for emphasis and contrasts with 后来 (hòulái).
Examples
我本来是学化学的，后来改学物理了。
Wǒ běnlái shì xué huàxué de, hòulái gǎi xué wùlǐ le.
I originally studied chemistry, then switched to physics.
他本来是医生。
Tā běnlái shì yīshēng.
He was originally a doctor.
我本来想去旅游。
Wǒ běnlái xiǎng qù lǚyóu.
I originally wanted to travel.
Examples
我本来是学化学的，后来改学物理了。
Wǒ běnlái shì xué huàxué de, hòulái gǎi xué wùlǐ le.
I originally studied chemistry, then switched to physics.
他本来是医生。
Tā běnlái shì yīshēng.
He was originally a doctor.
我本来想去旅游。
Wǒ běnlái xiǎng qù lǚyóu.
I originally wanted to travel.
Practice
Build the sentence
Drag the characters to put them in the correct order
Characters
Words from this rule
Frequently asked questions
How do you say “originally” in Chinese with 本来?
Use the structure: Subj. + 本来 (běnlái) + Verb / Adj.. For example: 我本来是学化学的，后来改学物理了。 — “I originally studied chemistry, then switched to physics”.
What is an example sentence with this grammar rule?
我本来是学化学的，后来改学物理了。 — “I originally studied chemistry, then switched to physics”.
Which HSK level includes this grammar rule?
This grammar rule is part of HSK 4.
Tomyo
Learn Chinese grammar with smart reviews
Grammar explanations, exercises and spaced repetition — all in one app.
More HSK 4 grammar rules
原来 — it turns out, originally
Subj. + 原来 (yuánlái) + Predicate
千万 — don't, whatever you do
千万 (qiānwàn) + (别 (bié) / 不 (bù)) + Verb
正好 — just in time, coincidence
Subj. + 正好 (zhènghǎo) + Verb / Adj.
不得不 — have to, forced to
Subj. + 不得不 (bùdébù) + Verb Phrase
也 都 — also all
Subj. + 也 (yě) + 都 (dōu) + Verb
究竟 — in the end
究竟 (jiūjìng) + Question word / Question
恐怕 — I'm afraid that...
恐怕 (kǒngpà) + Clause
从来 — never in negative contexts
从来 (cónglái) + 都 (dōu)/也 (yě) + 不 (bù)/没 (méi) + Verb / Adj.