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本来 (běn lái): original, former; originally, actually

Meaning & Stroke Order

HSK 4adjective, adverb

Word info

Pinyin
Meaning: original, former; originally, actually
Characters: 2
Part of speech: adjective, adverb
HSK level: HSK 4

Full definitions

original
originally
at first
it goes without saying
of course
original
originally
at first
it goes without saying
of course
inherent
native

Chinese explanation

表示人或事物原来的样子或最初的状态
用在句子中，表示按道理或按事实应该是这样，常与“就”连用。

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Character breakdown

HSK 5

(bound form) root

HSK 1

to come

Example sentences

I didn't know about this originally.

He didn't want to go in the first place, so he didn't go.

The original meaning of this has already changed.

Of course, everyone makes mistakes.

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