Comparison of '原来' (yuánlái) and '本来' (běnlái)

Description

In Chinese, both '原来' (yuánlái) and '本来' (běnlái) convey the idea of "originally" or "initially," but they are used in slightly different contexts.

原来 (yuánlái)

'原来' (yuánlái) means "originally" or "formerly" and is used to indicate a state or situation that existed in the past, often implying a discovery or realization of something that was previously unknown or misunderstood.

Examples with '原来'

• 我以为他不来，原来他已经到了。(Wǒ yǐwéi tā bù lái, yuánlái tā yǐjīng dào le.) - I thought he wouldn't come, but it turns out he's already here.
• 我原来在这个城市工作。(Wǒ yuánlái zài zhège chéngshì gōngzuò.) - I used to work in this city.

本来 (běnlái)

'本来' (běnlái) also means "originally" or "initially" but emphasizes the inherent nature or original intention of something. It is used to describe a situation or state that is natural, proper, or expected.

Examples with '本来'

• 她本来就是个好学生。(Tā běnlái jiù shì gè hǎo xuéshēng.) - She has always been a good student.
• 他本来应该早点回家。(Tā běnlái yīnggāi zǎodiǎn huí jiā.) - He should have gone home earlier.

Key Points

• '原来' (yuánlái) means "originally" or "formerly" and is used to indicate a past state or situation that was previously unknown or misunderstood.
• '本来' (běnlái) also means "originally" or "initially" but emphasizes the inherent nature or original intention of something.
• Both convey the idea of "originally" or "initially," but '本来' (běnlái) emphasizes the natural, proper, or expected state of things.