How to use 本来
本来⋯⋯
本来 can describe an original plan, expectation, or state before later circumstances changed it. The first clause establishes what was intended or expected, and a following contrast explains the actual development. 是…的 often frames an intention, but 本来 itself does not require that one fixed construction. Modals help specify what the person planned, expected, or was supposed to do.
本来就 instead commonly emphasizes that a fact already held independently of the current situation. It can defend a viewpoint or suggest that the point should be obvious. This reading need not imply a later change. Use the surrounding contrast and 就 to distinguish an abandoned original plan from something presented as true all along.
Examples with pinyin and English
我本来是要去的，不过后来不太舒服，就没去。
I originally wanted to go, but I didn't go because I didn't feel very well.
这些工作本来是要今天做完的，不过明天做也可以。
This work was originally supposed to be done by today, but it's OK to do it tomorrow.
我本来要跟他结婚的，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 really not right for each other.
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.
What to remember
- 本来 can establish an earlier intention or expectation.
- A later clause often explains the change.
- 本来就 can emphasize an already true fact.
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Source and editorial notes
Explanation rewritten for Laowai. Examples are adapted from the Laowai English grammar curriculum, with editorial corrections where needed. The original curriculum credits AllSet Learning’s Chinese Grammar Wiki as used with permission. Read the retained source credits.
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