本来 (běnlái)

本来 refers to an original situation, a natural expectation, or something that was the case from the beginning, often implying a contrast with the current state.

Meanings

[adverb] originally; in the first place; naturally — indicating what was true or expected at the outset, often contrasting with what actually happened

Example Sentences

他本来打算去北京，但是临时改变了计划。 Tā běnlái dǎsuàn qù Běijīng, dànshì línshí gǎibiàn le jìhuà. He originally planned to go to Beijing, but changed his plans at the last minute.

这件事本来很简单。 Zhè jiàn shì běnlái hěn jiǎndān. This matter was simple in the first place.

我本来想早点睡，但是朋友来找我了。 Wǒ běnlái xiǎng zǎodiǎn shuì, dànshì péngyǒu lái zhǎo wǒ le. I originally wanted to sleep early, but a friend came to see me.

这里本来是一片空地。 Zhèlǐ běnlái shì yī piàn kōngdì. This place was originally an empty lot.

Collocations

Collocation	Meaning
本来想	originally wanted to
本来打算	originally planned to
本来就	naturally; to begin with
本来是	was originally

Memory Hook

本 (root; origin) plus 来 (coming) — coming from the root or origin: what 本来 was at the very beginning.