本来 (originally / at first)
"Originally…" — how it started out
- original本来 = "originally / at first" — how things were before they changed.
- original本来want / think / miss想to go去，afterwards后来not / haven't没to go去 = "I originally wanted to go, but didn't in the end."
- It sets up a contrast with what actually happened.
original本来 + Predicate
- original本来 describes the original plan or state.
I我originally本来want想go去。
- I / me我original本来want / think / miss想to go去 = "I originally wanted to go."
Practice
I originally wanted to go: 我 ____ 想去。
本来 + Predicate = originally: 我本来想去.
Practice
本来 describes how things were originally, before a change.
Yes — 本来 = the original plan / state.
Sets up a "but…"
- original本来 usually pairs with a later twist: original本来…，but可是 / afterwards后来….
Explore
Correct or broken?
本来 recalls the original plan or state — usually before a however.
Practice
本来 usually sets up…
本来…often pairs with a twist: 本来想去，后来没去.
Recap
Key idea
- original本来 + Predicate — "originally / at first": I / me我original本来want / think / miss想to go去
- Sets up a contrast with what actually happened
- Often followed by but可是 / afterwards后来 (the twist)
Read the full reference: HSK 4 grammar — Adverbs.