Tomyo

How to say “it turns out” in Chinese with 原来 (yuánlái)

Subj. + 原来 (yuánlái) + Predicate

Expressing "it turns out / originally" with "原来 (yuánlái)"

HSK 4Adverbs

Rule structure

原来 (yuánlái) here does not mean "original" but "as it turns out". It introduces a fact the speaker has just realized.

Examples

原来你就是王老师！

Yuánlái nǐ jiù shì Wáng lǎoshī!

So you are Teacher Wang!

Practice

Build the sentence

Drag the characters to put them in the correct order

Characters

Frequently asked questions

How do you express “Expressing "it turns out / originally" with "原来 (yuánlái)"” in Chinese?

Use the structure: Subj. + 原来 (yuánlái) + Predicate. For example: 原来你就是王老师！ — “So you are Teacher Wang!”.

What is an example sentence with this grammar rule?

原来你就是王老师！ — “So you are Teacher Wang!”.

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.

Download the app

More HSK 4 grammar rules

Expressing "to make certain" with "千万 (qiānwàn)"

千万 (qiānwàn) + (别 (bié) / 不 (bù)) + Verb

Coincidence with "正好 (zhènghǎo)"

Subj. + 正好 (zhènghǎo) + Verb / Adj.

Expressing "have to" with "不得不 (bùdébù)"

Subj. + 不得不 (bùdébù) + Verb Phrase

Using "也 (yě)" and "都 (dōu)" together

Subj. + 也 (yě) + 都 (dōu) + Verb

Expressing "in the end" with "究竟 (jiūjìng)"

究竟 (jiūjìng) + Question word / Question

Expressing concern with "恐怕 (kǒngpà)"

恐怕 (kǒngpà) + Clause

Expressing "never / ever in negative contexts" with "从来 (cónglái)"

从来 (cónglái) + 都 (dōu)/也 (yě) + 不 (bù)/没 (méi) + Verb / Adj.

Expressing the unexpected with "竟然 (jìngrán)"

Subj. + 竟然 (jìngrán) + Verb / Adj.