How to say “originally” in Chinese with 本来 (běnlái)
Subj. + 本来 (běnlái) + Verb / Adj.
本来 (běn lái) — originally
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.
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.
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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.
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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.