本来 (originally / at first)
IntroducedRecover the earlier plan
- You intended to go, but your plan later changed.
- I我originally本来want想go去，afterwards后来not / haven't没go去。 — originally本来 introduces the original intention against the later outcome.
You intended to go, but your plan later changed. What does 我本来想去，后来没去。 communicate?
本来 introduces the original intention against the later outcome. 本来 can also emphasise an inherent situation, as in 本来就很简单. A later change is not required in every use.
Build the form
- The pattern in this lesson is originally本来 (originally / at first). Locate it in the original interlinear examples below.
- Keep the words in their demonstrated positions; the pattern must fit the intended situation as well as the sentence form.
I我originally本来want想go去。
Using the lesson pattern in this demonstrated example: I originally wanted to go: 我 ____ 想去。
本来 + Predicate = originally: 我本来想去.
Read examples in context
- In the opening example, I我originally本来want想go去，afterwards后来not / haven't没go去。: originally本来 introduces the original intention against the later outcome.
- Explain who acts, what is described and which time or group is relevant before choosing an English paraphrase.
本来 usually sets up…
本来…often pairs with a twist: 本来想去，后来没去.
Know the boundary
- originally本来 can also emphasise an inherent situation, as in originally本来then / just就degree / adjective linker很simple简单.
- A later change is not required in every use.
本来 can emphasise an inherent situation, as in 本来就很简单, without a later change.
Original intentions are one use; an already existing or inherent state is another.
Every 本来 sentence must describe a plan that changed.
本来 can also emphasise an inherent situation, as in 本来就很简单. A later change is not required in every use. 本来 introduces the original intention against the later outcome.
Use the distinction
- originally本来 introduces the original intention against the later outcome.
- originally本来 can also emphasise an inherent situation, as in originally本来then / just就degree / adjective linker很simple简单. A later change is not required in every use.
Read the full reference: HSK 4 grammar — Adverbs.
You intended to go, but your plan later changed. Close the examples. Say a Mandarin response, then write it in Chinese. Explain briefly in English what the lesson’s pattern adds. Compare with the model, then change one detail and try again.
This is supported productive practice. Compare meaning and structure; your answer need not copy the model. A partner or teacher must hear the spoken response to comment on pronunciation.