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.
Estrutura
Subj. + 本来 + 是 + (不) + [要 / 会 / 应该] + Verb + 的，[但是 / 可是 / 不过] ...
Exemplos
- 我本来是要去的，不过后来不太舒服，就没去。Wǒ běn lái shì yào qù de, bú guò hòu lái bú tài shū fu, 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。Zhè xiē gōng zuò běn lái shì yào jīn tiān zuò wán de, bú guò míng tiān zuò yě kě yǐ.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 běn lái yào gēn tā jié hūn de, kě shì hòu lái fā xiàn le wǒ men zhēn de bù hé shì.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 běn lái shì yīng gāi kǎo dé gèng hǎo de, kě shì nà tiān tā shēng bìng 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。Wǒ men běn lái xiǎng qù zhǎo tā bāng máng de, kě shì tā nà me máng, jiù méi qù.We were going to go ask him for help, but we didn't because he is so busy.