If something was originally a certain way, or "should be" a certain way, the Chinese words used are often 本来 (běnlái) and 原来 (yuánlái). 本来 (běnlái) is usually an adverb while 原来 (yuánlái) could be either and adjective or an adverb. However, they are used in different ways and different circumstances, so this article will help you distinguish when and where to use them.

Situations only using 本来

本来 as an adverb often requires 就 for emphasis

本来 is used when something is common sense. There are certain expectations for the speaker and listener. Since there is no real English equivalent, it is best translated as "it goes without saying." It can also be translated to "supposed to," following it with a certain expectation.

Structure

Examples

生活本来就很不容易。 Life isn't supposed to be very easy.
搬家本来就很麻烦。 Moving is supposed to be very troublesome.
照顾孩子本来就是父母的责任。 Taking care of children is supposed to be the responsibility of parents.
老师本来就应该好好备课。 Teachers are supposed to prepare their lessons well.
美国人本来就会说流利的英文。 Americans are supposed to speak fluent English.

Using 本来是 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

Examples

我本来是要去参加你的生日派对的，可是周末突然要加班。 I was originally going to go to your birthday party, but I had to work some extra time this weekend.
他本来是应该考得更好的，可是那天他生病了。 He would have done better on the test, but he was sick that day.
我们本来不打算去的，后来因为他们打了好几次电话就去了。 We didn't plan to go, but we went in the end because they called us several times.
这些工作本来可以明天做的，不过如果你想今天做完也可以。 This work doesn't need to be done by today. But if you want to finish it sooner, you can.
我本来是要跟他结婚的，可是后来发现了我们真的不合适。 I was originally going to marry him, but then I found that we are just not meant for each other.

Using 本来就 to stress the tone

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

Examples

你本来就够瘦了，还要减肥吗？ You are already thin enough and you still want to lose weight?
他讲得本来就不对，为什么还要我听他的？ What he said was wrong all along, so why do you still want me to listen to what he says?
他本来就不是个好人，你怎么还要帮他？ He was never a good person. Why do you still want to help him?
她本来就不喜欢你，你别再追她了。 She never liked you in the first place, so stop going after her.
他说话的方式本来就很容易让人不舒服，你别介意。 The way he tends to speak can easily make people uncomfortable, so don't take it personally.

Situations only using 原来

Using 原来 expresses “It turned out”

原来 is more used to emphasize what you accidentally find out or realize in a situation. 原来 means that the unexpected happened. It's similar to "as it turns out⋯⋯" For this usage, "原来" is normally located at the beginning of the sentence.

Structure

原来 + 是 + [Fact / Truth / Reason / Purpose]

怪不得 + [Observation / Situation]，原来 + 原来 + 是（因为 / 为了 / 想⋯⋯）

Examples

原来是你啊！我刚才真没看出来。 It is you! I didn't recognize you until just now.
原来是这样啊，那是我做错了。 Oh, that's it. I was doing it wrong all along.
怪不得你中文说得这么好，原来你在中国住了三十多年。 No wonder your Chinese is so good. You lived in China for more than 30 years.
原来他们住在一起，怪不得他们常常一起上下班。 They are living with each other. No wonder they often come to work and leave work together.
怪不得总是对他那么好，原来你一直都喜欢他。 No wonder you treat him so well. You've had feelings for him the whole time.

Use 原来 as an Adjective to Mean "Previous" or "Former"

Structure

Examples

这是我原来的家。 This is my old house.
他原来的公司关门了。 His former company closed down.
你们原来的看法不是这样的。 This is not how you previously thought about it.
我现在的男朋友比原来的男朋友帅多了。 My current boyfriend is a lot cuter than my ex.
你原来的头发那么黑，现在白了很多。 Your hair was so black before, but now it's become a lot whiter.

Situations only using 本来

本来 as an adverb often requires 就 for emphasis

Structure

Examples

Using 本来是 expresses a change of plans

Structure

Examples

Using 本来就 to stress the tone

Structure

Examples

Situations only using 原来

Using 原来 expresses “It turned out”

Structure

Examples

Use 原来 as an Adjective to Mean "Previous" or "Former"

Structure

Examples

Sources and further reading

Books