{{Grammar Box}}

There are a number of ways to express "[[originally]]" in Chinese, and 本来 (běnlái) is one of the ones first learned, partly because its two characters are so simple. 

== Using 本来是  (běnlái shì) Expresses a Change of Plans ==

If something happened unexpectedly later, 本来 is preferred rather than 原来 considering there is a change of the original situation. 本来 means "originally." Since the action has already happened, the pattern 是... 的 is suggested here. 是 is optional.

=== Structure ===

<div class="jiegou">

Subj. + 本来 + 是 +（不）要 / 会 / 应该 + Verb + 的，但是 / 可是 ...

</div>

=== Examples ===

<div class="liju">

* 我 <em>本来</em> 是 要 去 的，不过 后来 不 太 舒服 ，就 没 去 。<span class="trans">I was originally going, but I didn't go because I didn't feel very well.</span>
* 他 <em>本来</em> 是 应该 考 得 更 好 的 ，可是 那天 他 生病 了 。<span class="trans">He would have done better on the test, but he was sick that day.</span>
* 我们 <em>本来</em> 想 去 找 他 帮忙 的，可是 他 那么 忙 ，就 没 去 。<span class="trans">We were going to ask him for help, but we didn't because he was so busy.</span>
* 这些 工作 <em>本来</em> 是 要 今天 做完 的 ，不过 明天 做 也 可以 。<span class="trans">This work needs to be done by today. But it's OK to leave it to tomorrow.</span>
* 我 <em>本来</em> 要 跟 他 结婚 的 ，可是 后来 发现 了 我们 真的 不 合适。<span class="trans">I was originally going to marry him, but then I found that we are just not meant for each other.</span>
</div>

== Using 本来就 (běnlái jiù) Used for Emphasis of a Viewpoint ==

If you've got an opinion to express after stating how it "should be" or "should not be," then 本来就 will help you sound more convincing. The end of the sentence usually has an imperative or rhetorical question that leads to an opinion or suggestion, emphasizing the tone. 

=== Structure ===

<div class="jiegou">

Subj. + 本来 + 就...

</div>

=== Examples ===

<div class="liju">
*你 <em>本来</em> 就 够 瘦 了 ，还要 减肥 吗？<span class="trans">You are already so thin and you still want to lose weight?</span>
*他 讲 得 <em>本来</em>就 不 对 ，为什么 还 要 我 听 他 的？<span class="trans">What he says has always been wrong, so why do you still want me to listen to him?</span>
*她 <em>本来</em> 就 很 有钱，当然 买得起 了。<span class="trans">She is rich. Of course she can afford it.</span>
*她 <em>本来</em> 就 不 喜欢 你，你 别 再 追 她 了。<span class="trans">She never liked you in the first place, so stop pursuing her.</span>
* 他 <em>本来</em> 就 很 喜欢 开玩笑，你 别 介意 。<span class="trans">He has always liked joking around, so don't take it personally.</span>
</div>

== 本来 (běnlái) with 就 (jiù) to Express "Duh!" ==

本来 (běnlái) is used when the speaker believes something is common sense. There are certain expectations for the speaker and listener.  "Duh" is probably an overly saracastic and informal English equivalent, so another translation could be "it goes without saying." It could also be translated to "supposed to," following it with a certain expectation.  

=== Structure ===

<div class="jiegou">
Subj. + 本来 + 就 + 很 / 不 + Adj.
</div>

<div class="jiegou">
Subj. + 本来 + 就 + 会 / 要 / 得 / 应该 + Verb
</div>

=== Examples ===

<div class="liju">
* 照顾 孩子 <em>本来</em> 就 是 父母 的 责任。<span class="trans">Taking care of children is supposed to be the responsibility of parents.</span>
* 老师 <em>本来</em> 就 应该 好好 备课。<span class="trans">Teachers are supposed to prepare their lessons well.</span>
* 美国 人 <em>本来</em> 就 会 说 流利 的 英文。<span class="expl">Literally, "Americans are supposed to speak fluent English."</span><span class="trans">Well, of course Americans speak fluent English.</span>
* 搬家 <em>本来</em> 就 很 麻烦。<span class="expl">Literally, "Moving is supposed to be troublesome."</span><span class="trans">Moving is always a pain.</span>
* 生活 <em>本来</em> 就 很 不 容易。<span class="expl">Literally, "Life was never supposed to be easy."</span><span class="trans">No one ever said life was easy.</span>
</div>

[[Category:B2 grammar points]]
{{Basic Grammar|本来|B2|本来⋯⋯|搬家 <em>本来</em> 就 很 麻烦。|grammar point|ASG6F157}}
{{Similar|Expressing "all along" with "yuanlai"}}
{{Similar|Comparing "benlai" and "yuanlai"}}
{{POS|Adverbs}}
{{Used for|explaining}}
{{Used for|justifying}}
{{Translation|originally}}

== See also ==