Difference between revisions of "Comparing "benlai" and "yuanlai""

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If something is supposed to be the way it is or what you think it is, we say that it is "originally" or "it's supposed to be", which in Chinese are "本来"(běnlái) and"原来"(yuánlái). "本来"(běnlái) is usually adverb while "原来"(yuánlái) could be both adjective and adverb. However, they are used in different ways and different places, so this article will help you distinguish when and where to use them.
+
If something was originally a certain way, or "should be" a certain way, the Chinese words used are often 本来 (běnlái) and 原来 (yuánlái). 本来 (běnlái) is usually an adverb while 原来 (yuánlái) could be either and adjective or an adverb. However, they are used in different ways and different circumstances, so this article will help you distinguish when and where to use them.
  
== "本来" as an adverb ==
+
== Situations only using 本来 ==
 +
=== 本来 as an adverb often requires 就 for emphasis ===
  
=== Common Structures ===
+
本来 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. 
  
"本来" is usually placed before subject, and it often requires “就” after "本来" to emphasize.
+
==== Structure ====
 
 
====Structure====
 
  
 
<div class="jiegou">
 
<div class="jiegou">
 +
Subj. + 本来 + 就 + 很 / 不 + Adj.
  
Subject +本来+就+/+Adj.
+
Subj. + 本来 + 就 + / 要 / 得 / 应该 + Verb
 +
</div>
  
Subject+本来+就+会/要/得/应该+ Verb
+
==== Examples ====
  
 +
<div class="liju">
 +
* 生活<em>本来</em> 就 很 不 容易。<span class="trans">Life isn't supposed to be very easy.</span>
 +
* 搬家 <em>本来</em>就 很 麻烦。<span class="trans">Moving is supposed to be very troublesome.</span>
 +
* 照顾 孩子<em>本来</em> 就 是 父母 的 责任。<span class="trans">Taking care of children is supposed to be the responsibility of parents.</span>
 +
* 老师<em>本来</em>就 应该 好好 备课。<span class="trans">Teachers are supposed to prepare their lessons well.</span>
 +
* 美国 人 <em>本来</em>就 会 说 流利 的 英文。<span class="trans">Americans are supposed to speak fluent English.</span>
 
</div>
 
</div>
===Examples===
 
  
<div class="liju">
+
=== Using 本来是 expresses a change of plans ===
*生活<em>本来</em> 就 很 现实。<span class="trans">Life is real originally.</span>
 
*创业<em>本来</em>就 不 容易。<span class="trans">It's not supposed to be an easy thing to start your own business.</span>
 
*照顾 孩子<em>本来</em> 就 是 父母 的 责任。<span class="trans">Taking care of babies is supposed to be the responsibility of parents.</span>
 
*老师<em>本来</em>就 应该 好好 备课。<span class="trans">Teachers are supposed to prepared the lesson very well.</span>
 
*美国 人 <em>本来</em>就 会 说 流利 的 英文。<span class="trans">Americans are supposed to speak fluent English.</span>
 
</div>
 
  
If something happened unexpectedly later,"本来" is preferred rather than "原来considering there is a change of the original situation。Since it's happened,the pattern "是···的" is suggested here.If you are just trying to give some fact,then "是···的" is optional。
+
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. is optional.
  
 
==== Structure ====
 
==== Structure ====
 
 
<div class="jiegou">
 
<div class="jiegou">
  
Subject+本来+是+(不)要/会/得/应该+ Verb+的,但是/可是/不过/现在/后来···
+
Subj. + 本来 + 是 +(不)要 / 会 / 应该 + Verb + 的,但是 / 可是⋯⋯
  
 
</div>
 
</div>
===Examples===
+
 
 +
==== Examples ====
  
 
<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
*我<em>本来</em> 是 要 去 参加 你的 生日 派对 的,可是 周末 突然 要 加班。<span class="trans">I was going to your birthday party,but I had to work some extra time this weekend.</span>
+
 
*他<em>本来</em>是 应该 考 得 更好 的,可是 那天 他 发 高烧 了。<span class="trans">He was supposed to do better at the test.However,he got a high fever the other day .</span>
+
*我<em>本来</em> 是 要 去 参加 你的 生日 派对 的,可是 周末 突然 要 加班。<span class="trans">I was originally going to go to your birthday party, but I had to work some extra time this weekend.</span>
*我们<em>本来</em> 不 打算 去 的,后来 因为 他们 打 了 好 几次 电话 就 去 了。<span class="trans">We did't plan to go but we did finally because they called more than once.</span>
+
*他<em>本来</em>是 应该 考 得 更 好 的,可是 那天 他 生病 了。<span class="trans">He would have done better on the test, but he was sick that day.</span>
*这些 工作<em>本来</em>是 不必 今天 就 的,不过 如果 你 想 快点 做 完 也 可以。<span class="trans">These work doesn't need to be done by today.But if you wanna finish them sooner,you go ahead.</span>
+
*我们<em>本来</em> 不 打算 去 的,后来 因为 他们 打 了 好 几次 电话 就 去 了。<span class="trans">We didn't plan to go, but we went in the end because they called us several times.</span>
* 我<em>本来</em>是 要 跟 他 结婚 的,可是后来发现了 我们 真的 不合适。<span class="trans">I was going to married him while I found we are just not meant for each other.</span>
+
*这些 工作<em>本来</em> 可以 明天 做 的,不过 如果 你 想 今天 做 完 也 可以。<span class="trans">This work doesn't need to be done by today. But if you want to finish it sooner, you can.</span>
 +
* 我<em>本来</em>是 要 跟 他 结婚 的,可是 后来 发现 了 我们 真的 不 合适。<span class="trans">I was originally going to marry him, but then I found that we are just not meant for each other.</span>
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
If you wanna put an emphasis on what it is or what you think it is as you've got an opinion to express after that,then"本来+就" would help you sound more convincing。
+
=== Using 本来就 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 ====
 
==== Structure ====
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<div class="jiegou">
 
<div class="jiegou">
  
Subject+本来+就+what you think it is true or right
+
Subj. + 本来 + 就 + ⋯⋯
  
 
</div>
 
</div>
===Examples===
+
 
 +
==== Examples ====
  
 
<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
*你<em>本来</em> 就 够 瘦 了 ,还要减肥吗?<span class="trans"> You are slender in the first place and you are still planning on losing some weight?</span>
+
*你<em>本来</em> 就 够 瘦 了 ,还要 减肥 吗?<span class="trans">You are already thin enough and you still want to lose weight?</span>
*他讲得<em>本来</em>就 不 对,为什么还要我听他的?<span class="trans">What he said is wrong in the first place so why are you still asking me to follow him?</span>
+
*他 讲 得<em>本来</em>就 不 对,为什么 还 要 我 听 他 的?<span class="trans">What he said was wrong all along, so why do you still want me to listen to what he says?</span>
*他<em>本来</em>就 不 是 个 好 人,你怎么还要帮他?<span class="trans">He is not a decent man and why do you still wanna help him?</span>
+
*他<em>本来</em>就 不 是 个 好 人,你 怎么 还要 帮他?<span class="trans">He was never a good person. Why do you still want to help him?</span>
*她<em>本来</em>就 不 喜欢你,你 别 再 追 她 了。<span class="trans">She doesn't like you in the first place so stop romancing her.</span>
+
*她<em>本来</em>就 不 喜欢你,你 别 再 追 她 了。<span class="trans">She never liked you in the first place, so stop going after her.</span>
* 他说话的方式<em>本来</em>就 很容易 让人 不舒服,你别介意。<span class="trans">The way he speaks is annoying anyway so don't take it personnally.</span>
+
* 他说话的方式<em>本来</em>就 很 容易 让人 不 舒服,你 别 介意。<span class="trans">The way he tends to speak can easily make people uncomfortable, so don't take it personally.</span>
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
==原来==
+
== Situations only using 原来 ==
  
"原来" is more used to emphasize what you accidentally find out or realize in some certain sistuation.It's somewhat the same when you mean "it turned out···" and "原来" could be located at the beginning or the middle of the sentence.The most two useful patterns are as follows:
+
=== Using 原来 expresses “It turned out” ===
 +
 
 +
原来 is more used to emphasize what you accidentally find out or realize in a situation. 原来 means that the unexpected happened. It's similar to "as it turns out⋯⋯" For this usage, "原来" is normally located at the beginning of the sentence.  
 +
 
 +
The most two useful patterns are as follows:
  
 
==== Structure ====
 
==== Structure ====
Line 75: Line 82:
 
<div class="jiegou">
 
<div class="jiegou">
  
原来+是(因为/为了)+fact/truth/reason/purpose
+
原来 + + [Fact / Truth / Reason / Purpose]
  
怪不得+[observation],原来+[reason]
+
怪不得 + [Observation / Situation],原来 + 是(因为 / 为了 / 想⋯⋯)
  
 
</div>
 
</div>
===Examples===
+
 
 +
==== Examples ====
  
 
<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
*<em>原来</em> 是 你 啊!我 刚才 真 没 看 出来。<span class="trans">It is you!I didn't recognize you.</span>
+
*<em>原来</em> 是 你 啊!我 刚才 真 没 看 出来。<span class="trans">It is you! I didn't recognize you until just now.</span>
*<em>原来</em> 是这样啊,那是我做错了。<span class="trans">Oh,that's it.I did it wrong in the first place.</span>
+
*<em>原来</em> 是 这 样 啊,那 是 我 做错 了。<span class="trans">Oh, that's it. I was doing it wrong all along.</span>
*<em>怪不得</em>你中文说得这么好,<em>原来</em>你在中国住了三十多年。<span class="trans">No wonder that your Chinese is so good.You lived in China for more than 30 years.</span>
+
*<em>怪不得</em> 你 中文 说 得 这么 好,<em>原来</em>你 在 中国 住 了 三十 多 年。<span class="trans">No wonder your Chinese is so good. You lived in China for more than 30 years.</span>
*<em>原来</em>他们住在一起,怪不得他们常常一起上下班。<span class="trans">They are living with each other!No wonder they often come to and get off work together.</span>
+
*<em>原来</em> 他们 住 在 一起,怪不得 他们 常常 一起 上 下班。<span class="trans">They are living with each other. No wonder they often come to work and leave work together.</span>
*<em>怪不得</em>总是对他那么好,<em>原来</em>你一直都喜欢他.<span class="trans">No wonder that you treat him so well.You have feelings for the guy all the time.</span>
+
*<em>怪不得</em> 总是 对 他 那么 好,<em>原来</em> 你 一直 都 喜欢 他.<span class="trans">No wonder you treat him so well. You've had feelings for him the whole time.</span>
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
“原来”is also used as an adjective meaning previous or former.
+
=== Use 原来 as an Adjective to Mean "Previous" or "Former" ===
  
 
==== Structure ====
 
==== Structure ====
Line 96: Line 104:
 
<div class="jiegou">
 
<div class="jiegou">
  
原来的+noun
+
原来的 + Noun
  
 
</div>
 
</div>
===Examples===
+
 
 +
==== Examples ====
  
 
<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
*这是我<em>原来</em> 的家。<span class="trans">This is my old house.</span>
+
*这是 我 <em>原来</em> 的 家。<span class="trans">This is my old house.</span>
*他<em>原来</em>的公司关门了。<span class="trans">His former company closed down.</span>
+
*他 <em>原来</em> 的 公司 关门 了。<span class="trans">His former company closed down.</span>
*你们<em>原来</em>的看法不是这样的。<span class="trans">This is not what you previously thought about it.</span>
+
*你们 <em>原来</em> 的 看法 不 是 这 样 的。<span class="trans">This is not how you previously thought about it.</span>
*我现在的男朋友比<em>原来</em> 的男朋友帅多了。<span class="trans">My current boyfriend is a lot cuter than my ex.</span>
+
*我 现在 的 男朋友 比 <em>原来</em> 的 男朋友 帅 多了。<span class="trans">My current boyfriend is a lot cuter than my ex.</span>
*你<em>原来</em>的头发那么黑,现在白了很多。<span class="trans">Your hair was so black before and now it's all turning grey.</span>
+
*你 <em>原来</em> 的 头发 那么 黑,现在 白 了 很 多。<span class="trans">Your hair was so black before, but now it's become a lot whiter.</span>
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
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=== Books ===
 
=== Books ===
  
* [[Chinese Grammar - Broken down into 100 items - Basic and Intermediate Levels (汉语语法百项讲练 - 初中级) ]] (pp. 94-6) [http://www.amazon.cn/gp/product/B004WA6JSQ/ref%3das_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=allset-23&linkCode=as2&camp=536&creative=3132&creativeASIN=B004WA6JSQ →buy]
+
{{Source|HSK Standard Course 4上|43}}
* [[Integrated Chinese: Level 2, Part 1]] (pp. 195-6) [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0887276792/ref%3das_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=allset-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399369&creativeASIN=0887276792 →buy]
+
{{Source|Chinese Grammar - Broken down into 100 items - Basic and Intermediate Levels (汉语语法百项讲练 - 初中级) |94-6}}
* [[New Practical Chinese Reader 5 (新实用汉语课本5)]] (pp. 29)[http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/7561914083/ref%3das_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=allset-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399369&creativeASIN=7561914083 →buy]
+
{{Source|Integrated Chinese: Level 2, Part 1|195-6}}
* [[Short-term Spoken Chinese: Elementary (汉语口语速成基础篇)]] (pp. 22-23) [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00326U9MS/ref%3das_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=allset-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399373&creativeASIN=B00326U9MS →buy]
+
{{Source|New Practical Chinese Reader 5 (新实用汉语课本5)|29}}
 +
{{Source|Short-term Spoken Chinese: Elementary (汉语口语速成基础篇)|22-23}}
 
   
 
   
  
 
[[Category: B2 grammar points]]
 
[[Category: B2 grammar points]]
 +
{{HSK|HSK4}}
 
[[Category:grammar comparison]]
 
[[Category:grammar comparison]]
{{Basic Grammar|本来|B2|本来 vs 原来|他<em>原来</em>的 公司  <em>本来</em> 要 派 他 去 上海,但是 因为 家 里 有事,去 不了 了。|grammar point|NEEDCODE}}
+
{{Basic Grammar|本来|B2|本来 vs 原来|他<em>原来</em>的 公司  <em>本来</em> 要 派 他 去 上海,但是 因为 家 里 有事,去 不了 了。|grammar point|ASG56QKW}}
 +
{{Similar|Expressing "all along" with "yuanlai"}}
 +
{{Similar|Expressing "originally" with "benlai""}}
 
{{Rel char|原来}}
 
{{Rel char|原来}}
 +
{{Used for|explaining}}
 +
{{Used for|justifying}}
 
{{Comparison|Adverbs}}
 
{{Comparison|Adverbs}}

Revision as of 04:53, 9 March 2019

If something was originally a certain way, or "should be" a certain way, the Chinese words used are often 本来 (běnlái) and 原来 (yuánlái). 本来 (běnlái) is usually an adverb while 原来 (yuánlái) could be either and adjective or an adverb. However, they are used in different ways and different circumstances, so this article will help you distinguish when and where to use them.

Situations only using 本来

本来 as an adverb often requires 就 for emphasis

本来 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 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

  • 本来 是 要 去 参加 你的 生日 派对 的,可是 周末 突然 要 加班。I was originally going to go to your birthday party, but I had to work some extra time this weekend.
  • 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 不 打算 去 的,后来 因为 他们 打 了 好 几次 电话 就 去 了。We didn't plan to go, but we went in the end because they called us several times.
  • 这些 工作本来 可以 明天 做 的,不过 如果 你 想 今天 做 完 也 可以。This work doesn't need to be done by today. But if you want to finish it sooner, you can.
  • 本来是 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 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

  • 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?
  • 本来就 不 是 个 好 人,你 怎么 还要 帮他?He was never a good person. Why do you still want to help him?
  • 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.
  • 他说话的方式本来就 很 容易 让人 不 舒服,你 别 介意。The way he tends to speak can easily make people uncomfortable, so don't take it personally.

Situations only using 原来

Using 原来 expresses “It turned out”

原来 is more used to emphasize what you accidentally find out or realize in a situation. 原来 means that the unexpected happened. It's similar to "as it turns out⋯⋯" For this usage, "原来" is normally located at the beginning of the sentence.

The most two useful patterns are as follows:

Structure

原来 + 是 + [Fact / Truth / Reason / Purpose]

怪不得 + [Observation / Situation],原来 + 是(因为 / 为了 / 想⋯⋯)

Examples

  • 原来 是 你 啊!我 刚才 真 没 看 出来。It is you! I didn't recognize you until just now.
  • 原来 是 这 样 啊,那 是 我 做错 了。Oh, that's it. I was doing it wrong all along.
  • 怪不得 你 中文 说 得 这么 好,原来你 在 中国 住 了 三十 多 年。No wonder your Chinese is so good. You lived in China for more than 30 years.
  • 原来 他们 住 在 一起,怪不得 他们 常常 一起 上 下班。They are living with each other. No wonder they often come to work and leave work together.
  • 怪不得 总是 对 他 那么 好,原来 你 一直 都 喜欢 他.No wonder you treat him so well. You've had feelings for him the whole time.

Use 原来 as an Adjective to Mean "Previous" or "Former"

Structure

原来的 + Noun

Examples

  • 这是 我 原来 的 家。This is my old house.
  • 原来 的 公司 关门 了。His former company closed down.
  • 你们 原来 的 看法 不 是 这 样 的。This is not how you previously thought about it.
  • 我 现在 的 男朋友 比 原来 的 男朋友 帅 多了。My current boyfriend is a lot cuter than my ex.
  • 原来 的 头发 那么 黑,现在 白 了 很 多。Your hair was so black before, but now it's become a lot whiter.

Sources and further reading

Books