Expressing "originally" with "benlai"

本来 (běnlái) used with 就 (jiù) for emphasis

本来 (běnlái) is used when something is common sense. There are certain expectations for the speaker and listener. Since there is no real English equivalent, it is best translated as "it goes without saying." It can also be translated to "supposed to," following it with a certain expectation.

Structure

Subj. + 本来 + 就 + 很 / 不 + Adj.

Subj. + 本来 + 就 + 会 / 要 / 得 / 应该 + Verb

Examples

• 生活本来 就 很 不 容易。Life isn't supposed to be very easy.
• 搬家 本来就 很 麻烦。Moving is supposed to be very troublesome.
• 照顾 孩子本来 就 是 父母 的 责任。Taking care of children is supposed to be the responsibility of parents.
• 老师本来就 应该 好好 备课。Teachers are supposed to prepare their lessons well.
• 美国 人 本来就 会 说 流利 的 英文。Americans are supposed to speak fluent English.

Using 本来是 (běnlái shì) expresses a change of plans

If something happened unexpectedly later, 本来 is preferred rather than 原来 considering there is a change of the original situation. 本来 means "originally." Since the action has already happened, the pattern 是... 的 is suggested here. 是 is optional.

Structure

Subj. + 本来 + 是 +（不）要 / 会 / 应该 + Verb + 的，但是 / 可是 ...

Examples

• 我本来 是 要 去 的，不过 后来 不 太 舒服，就 没 去。I was originally going, but I didn't go because I didn't feel very well.
• 他本来是 应该 考 得 更 好 的，可是 那天 他 生病 了。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。We were going to ask him for help, but we didn't because he was so busy.
• 这些 工作本来 是 要 今天 做完 的，不过 明天 做 也 可以。This work needs to be done by today. But it's Ok to leave it to tomorrow.
• 我 本来 要 跟 他 结婚 的，可是 后来 发现 了 我们 真的 不 合适。I was originally going to marry him, but then I found that we are just not meant for each other.

Using 本来就 (běnlái jiù) to stress the tone

If you've got an opinion to express after stating how it "should be" or "should not be", then 本来就 will help you sound more convincing. The end of the sentence usually has an imperative or rhetorical question that leads to an opinion or suggestion, emphasizing the tone.

Structure

Subj. + 本来就 + ...

Examples

• 你本来 就 够 瘦 了 ，还要 减肥 吗？You are already thin enough and you still want to lose weight?
• 他 讲 得本来就 不 对，为什么 还 要 我 听 他 的？What he said was wrong all along, so why do you still want me to listen to what he says?
• 她 本来 就 很 有钱，当然 买得起 了。She is rich. Of course she can afford it.
• 她本来 就 不 喜欢 你，你 别 再 追 她 了。She never liked you in the first place, so stop going after her.
• 他 本来就 很 喜欢 开玩笑，你 别 介意。He likes joking all the time, so don't take it personally.