本来 běn lái
“original; originally; at first”
adverb, attributiveHSK 4 · 2021 list level 3Traditional 本來
新HSK等级2025 HSK 3.0 syllabus level
本来 appears in the November 2025 exam syllabus in the following numbered entry. Levels refer to the listed reading and use, not every meaning.
- Entry 1025: 本来 běnlái — Level 4; official annotation 4 (形、副). PDF page 105
Separate from the HSK 2.0 and 2021 list labels above. Compare the three lists.
用法How to use 本来
本来 means "originally" or "at first": it describes the original plan, state, or intention before something changes. It often comes before verbs like 想, 要, 打算, or 是, and the change is commonly introduced by 但是, 可是, or 后来. For HSK 4, focus on this "before a change" meaning.
例句Example sentences
- 我本来想今天去公园，可是下雨了。wǒ běn lái xiǎng jīn tiān qù gōng yuán, kě shì xià yǔ le.I originally wanted to go to the park today, but it rained.
- 他本来是老师，后来当了医生。tā běn lái shì lǎo shī, hòu lái dāng le yī sheng.He was originally a teacher, and later became a doctor.
- 这件事本来很简单，你别想得太复杂。zhè jiàn shì běn lái hěn jiǎn dān, nǐ bié xiǎng de tài fù zá.This matter was originally very simple; don't overthink it.
常见错误Common mistakes
-
✗他本来老师。
✓他本来是老师。
With a noun predicate, 是 is required; 本来 only adds the meaning "originally."