AdverbsHSK 5
Expressing "originally" with 本来
本来 can be used to describe a situation that was originally planned or expected, but then changed. The structure typically uses 是⋯⋯的 framing with a modal verb like 要、会、or 应该, followed by a contrasting clause with 但是、可是、or 不过. Remember to include both 是 and 的 to frame the original intention.
Structure
Subj. + 本来 + 是 + (不) + [要 / 会 / 应该] + Verb + 的，[但是 / 可是 / 不过] ...
Examples
- 我本来是要去的，不过后来不太舒服，就没去。Wǒ běnlái shì yào qù de, bùguò hòulái bù tài shūfu, jiù méi qù.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。Zhèxiē gōngzuò běnlái shì yào jīntiān zuò wán de, bùguò míngtiān zuò yě kěyǐ.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。Wǒ běnlái yào gēn tā jiéhūn de, kěshì hòulái fāxiàn le wǒmen zhēn de bù héshì.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。Tā běnlái shì yīnggāi kǎo de gèng hǎo de, kěshì nà tiān tā shēngbìng le.He would have done better on the test, but he was sick that day.
- 我们本来想去找他帮忙的，可是他那么忙，就没去。Wǒmen běnlái xiǎng qù zhǎo tā bāngmáng de, kěshì tā nàme máng, jiù méi qù.We were going to go ask him for help, but we didn't because he is so busy.