AdverbsHSK 4
Expressing "all along" with 原来
As an adjective, 原来 means 'original' or 'former' and is commonly used with 的 to modify a noun (原来的 + Noun). This pattern describes something that existed or was true at an earlier time, often contrasting with the present. Note that 原来 is not used as a predicate by itself when attributing to a noun.
As an adverb, 原来 means 'originally' or 'all along,' and is placed directly before a verb or adjective (Subj. + 原来 + Predicate) to state a past situation that has since changed. A common mistake is inserting 的 before the predicate, but 的 is only used in the adjective pattern.
Structure
原来 + 的 + Noun
Subj. + 原来 + Predicate
Examples
- 你原来的发型也很可爱。Nǐ yuánlái de fàxíng yě hěn kě'ài.Your original hairstyle was also very cute.
- 这件衣服原来的价格是999块。Zhè jiàn yīfu yuánlái de jiàgé shì jiǔbǎi jiǔshí-jiǔ kuài.The original price of this piece of clothing was 999 RMB.
- 她们原来只是邻居，现在是很好的朋友。Tāmen yuánlái zhǐ shì línjū, xiànzài shì hěn hǎo de péngyou.Originally they were just neighbors. Now they're very good friends.
- 我们原来住在浦东，几个月以前搬到了这里。Wǒmen yuánlái zhù zài Pǔdōng, jǐ gè yuè yǐqián bān dào le zhèlǐ.Originally we lived in Pudong. We moved here a few months ago.
- 原来她是他的中文老师，现在是他老婆。Yuánlái tā shì tā de Zhōngwén lǎoshī, xiànzài shì tā lǎopo.She was originally his Chinese teacher. She is now his wife.