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

 
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{{Grammar Box}}  
 
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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 an adjective or an adverb.
  
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 + 是 for a Change of Plans ==
  
== Situations only using "本来" ==
+
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.
=== "本来" as an Adverb often Requires “就” for Emphasis ===
 
  
"本来" emphasizes according to common sense or reason, having the connotation of "it is what it is," and since there is no real English equivalent, it is best translated as "it goes without saying," "of course," or "supposed to be."
+
=== Structure ===
 
 
==== Structure ====
 
  
 
<div class="jiegou">
 
<div class="jiegou">
Subj. + 本来 + + /不 + Adj.
+
Subj. + 本来 + + [(不)要 / 会 / 应该 ] + Verb + 的,但是 / 可是⋯⋯
 
 
Subj. + 本来 + 就 + /要/得/应该+ Verb
 
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
==== Examples ====
+
=== Examples ===
  
 
<div class="liju">
 
<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>
+
*<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="pinyin">Wǒ <em>běnlái</em> shì yào qù cānjiā nǐ de shēngrì pàiduì de, kěshì zhōumò tūrán yào jiābān.</span><span class="trans">I was originally going to go to your birthday party, but I had to work some extra time this weekend.</span>
* 搬家 <em>本来</em>就 很 麻烦。<span class="trans">Moving is supposed to be very troublesome. </span>
+
*<em>本来</em> 是 应该 考 得 更 好 的,可是 那天 他 生病 了。<span class="pinyin">Tā <em>běnlái</em> shì yīnggāi kǎo de gèng hǎo de, kěshì nà tiān tā shēngbìng le.</span><span class="trans">He would have done better on the test, but he was sick that day.</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>
+
*我们 <em>本来</em> 不 打算 去 的,后来 因为 他们 打 了 好 几 次 电话 去 了。<span class="pinyin">Wǒmen <em>běnlái</em> bù dǎsuàn qù de, hòulái yīnwèi tāmen dǎ le hǎo jǐ cì diànhuà jiù qù le.</span><span class="trans">We didn't plan to go, but we went in the end because they called us several times.</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>
+
*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="pinyin">Zhèxiē gōngzuò <em>běnlái</em> kěyǐ míngtiān zuò de, bùguò rúguǒ nǐ xiǎng jīntiān zuò wán yě kěyǐ.</span><span class="trans">This work doesn't need to be done by today. But if you want to finish it sooner, you can.</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>
+
* <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="pinyin">Wǒ <em>běnlái</em> shì yào gēn tā jiéhūn de, kěshì hòulái fāxiàn le wǒmen zhēn de bù héshì.</span><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>
  
=== Using "本来是" expresses a change of plans ===
+
== 本来 + 就 for Common Sense Statements ==
  
If something happened unexpectedly later, "本来" is preferred rather than "原来" considering there is a change of the original situation. Since it has happened, the pattern "是···的" is suggested here. "" is optional.
+
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 ===
  
==== Structure ====
 
 
<div class="jiegou">
 
<div class="jiegou">
 +
Subj. + 本来 + 就 + 很 / 不 + Adj.
 +
</div>
  
Subj. + 本来 + +(不)要 / / 应该 + Verb + 的,但是/可是 ···
+
<div class="jiegou">
 
+
Subj. + 本来 + + [ 会 / 要 / / 应该 ] + Verb
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
==== Examples ====
+
=== Examples ===
  
 
<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
 
+
* 生活 <em>本来</em> 就 很 不 容易。<span class="pinyin">Shēnghuó <em>běnlái</em> jiù hěn bù róngyì.</span><span class="trans">Life isn't supposed to be very easy.</span>
*<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 go to your birthday party, but I had to work some extra time this weekend.</span>
+
* 搬家 <em>本来</em> 就 很 麻烦。<span class="pinyin">Bānjiā <em>běnlái</em> jiù hěn máfan.</span><span class="trans">Moving is supposed to be very troublesome.</span>
*<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>
+
* 照顾 孩子 <em>本来</em> 就 是 父母 的 责任。<span class="pinyin">Zhàogù háizi <em>běnlái</em> jiùshì fùmǔ de zérèn.</span><span class="trans">Taking care of children is supposed to be the responsibility of parents.</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 去 了。<span class="trans">We didn't plan to go, but we went in the end because they called us several times.</span>
+
* 老师 <em>本来</em> 就 应该 好好 备课。<span class="pinyin">Lǎoshī <em>běnlái</em> jiù yīnggāi hǎohāo bèikè.</span><span class="trans">Teachers are supposed to prepare their lessons well.</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>
  
=== Using "本来就" to stress the tone ===
+
== 本来 + 就 for Emphasis ==
  
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.  
+
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 ===
  
 
<div class="jiegou">
 
<div class="jiegou">
 
+
Subj. + 本来 + 就 + ⋯⋯
Subj. + 本来 + 就 + [what you think it is true or right]
 
 
 
 
</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 already thin enough and you still want to lose weight?</span>
+
*你 <em>本来</em> 就 够 瘦 了 ,还要 减肥 吗?<span class="pinyin">Nǐ <em>běnlái</em> jiù gòu shòu le, hái yào jiǎnféi ma?</span><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 was wrong all along, so why do you still want me to listen to what he says?</span>
+
*他 讲 得 <em>本来</em> 就 不 对,为什么 还 要 我 听 他 的?<span class="pinyin">Tā jiǎng de <em>běnlái</em> jiù bùduì, wèishénme hái yào wǒ tīng tā de?</span><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 was never a good person. Why do you still want to help him?</span>
+
*他 <em>本来</em> 就 不 是 个 好 人,你 怎么 还要 帮他?<span class="pinyin">Tā <em>běnlái</em> jiù bù shì gè hǎorén, nǐ zěnme hái yào bāng tā?</span><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 never liked you in the first place, so stop going after her.</span>
+
*她 <em>本来</em> 就 不 喜欢 你,你 别 再 追 她 了。<span class="pinyin">Tā <em>běnlái</em> jiù bù xǐhuan nǐ, nǐ bié zài zhuī tā le.</span><span class="trans">She never liked you in the first place, so stop pursuing 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 tends to speak can easily make people uncomfortable, so don't take it personally.</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="pinyin">Tā shuōhuà de fāngshì <em>běnlái</em> jiù hěn róngyì ràng rén bú shūfu, nǐ bié jièyì.</span><span class="trans">The way he talks oten makes people uncomfortable, so don't take it personally.</span>
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
== Situations only using "原来" ==
+
== 原来 + 是 for “It turns out” ==
  
=== Using “原来” expresses “It Turned out” ===
+
原来 is more used to emphasize what you accidentally find out or realize in a situation. It's similar to "as it turns out..." or "...all along." For this usage, 原来 is normally located at the beginning of the sentence.
  
"原来" is more used to emphasize what you accidentally find out or realize in some certain situation. It's similar to " as it turns out..." For this usage, "原来" is normally located at the beginning of the sentence.
+
=== Structure ===
  
The most two useful patterns are as follows:
+
<div class="jiegou">
 
+
原来 + 是 + [Fact / Truth / Reason / Purpose]
==== Structure ====
+
</div>
  
 
<div class="jiegou">
 
<div class="jiegou">
 
+
怪不得 + [Observation / Situation],原来 + 是 [因为 / 为了 / 想⋯⋯]
原来 + 是 + [fact / truth / reason / purpose]
 
 
 
怪不得 + [observation / situation],原来 + 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 until just now.</span>
+
*<em>原来</em> 是 你 啊!我 刚才 真 没 看 出来。<span class="pinyin"><em>Yuánlái</em> shì nǐ a! Wǒ gāngcái zhēn méi kàn chūlái.</span><span class="trans">It was you all along! 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 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="pinyin"><em>Guàibùdé</em> nǐ Zhōngwén shuō de zhème hǎo, <em>yuánlái</em>nǐ zài Zhōngguó zhù le sānshí duō nián.</span><span class="trans">No wonder 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="pinyin><em>Yuánlái</em> tāmen zhù zài yīqǐ, guàibùdé tāmen chángcháng yīqǐ shàng xiàbān.</span><span class="trans">It turns out that they're living together. No wonder they often come to work and leave 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 and get off 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="pinyin"><em>Guàibùdé</em> zǒng shì duì tā nàme hǎo, <em>yuánlái</em> nǐ yīzhí dōu xǐhuan tā.</span><span class="trans">No wonder you treat him so well. You've had feelings for him the whole 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>
  
=== Use “原来” as an Adjective to Mean "Previous" or "Former" ===
+
== 原来 + 的 for  "Previous" or "Former" ==
  
==== Structure ====
+
=== Structure ===
  
 
<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="pinyin">Zhè shì wǒ <em>yuánlái</em> de jiā.</span><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="pinyin">Tā <em>yuánlái</em> de gōngsī guānmén le.</span><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 how you previously thought about it.</span>
+
*你们 <em>原来</em> 的 看法 不 是 这样 的。<span class="pinyin">Nǐmen <em>yuánlái</em> de kànfǎ bù shì zhèyàng de.</span><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="pinyin">Wǒ xiànzài de nán péngyǒu bǐ <em>yuánlái</em> de nán péngyǒu shuài duō le.</span><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, but now it's become a lot whiter.</span>
+
*你 <em>原来</em> 的 头发 那么 黑,现在 白 了 很 多。<span class="pinyin">Nǐ <em>yuánlái</em> de tóufǎ nàme hēi, xiànzài bái le hěn duō.</span><span class="trans">Your hair was so black before, but now it's become a lot grayer.</span>
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
Line 122: Line 110:
 
=== 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|ASG56QKW}}
 
{{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}}

Latest revision as of 05:02, 16 August 2022

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 an adjective or an adverb.

本来 + 是 for 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。běnlái shì yào qù cānjiā nǐ de shēngrì pàiduì de, kěshì zhōumò tūrán yào jiābān.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。běnlái shì yīnggāi kǎo de gèng hǎo de, kěshì nà tiān tā shēngbìng le.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。Wǒmen běnlái bù dǎsuàn qù de, hòulái yīnwèi tāmen dǎ le hǎo jǐ cì diànhuà jiù qù le.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。Zhèxiē gōngzuò běnlái kěyǐ míngtiān zuò de, bùguò rúguǒ nǐ xiǎng jīntiān zuò wán yě kěyǐ.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。běnlái shì yào gēn tā jiéhūn de, kěshì hòulái fāxiàn le wǒmen zhēn de bù héshì.I was originally going to marry him, but then I found that we are just not meant for each other.

本来 + 就 for Common Sense Statements

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。Shēnghuó běnlái jiù hěn bù róngyì.Life isn't supposed to be very easy.
  • 搬家 本来 就 很 麻烦。Bānjiā běnlái jiù hěn máfan.Moving is supposed to be very troublesome.
  • 照顾 孩子 本来 就 是 父母 的 责任。Zhàogù háizi běnlái jiùshì fùmǔ de zérèn.Taking care of children is supposed to be the responsibility of parents.
  • 老师 本来 就 应该 好好 备课。Lǎoshī běnlái jiù yīnggāi hǎohāo bèikè.Teachers are supposed to prepare their lessons well.

本来 + 就 for Emphasis

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?běnlái jiù gòu shòu le, hái yào jiǎnféi ma?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?Tā jiǎng de běnlái jiù bùduì, wèishénme hái yào wǒ tīng tā de?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?běnlái jiù bù shì gè hǎorén, nǐ zěnme hái yào bāng tā?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。běnlái jiù bù xǐhuan nǐ, nǐ bié zài zhuī tā le.She never liked you in the first place, so stop pursuing her.
  • 他 说话 的 方式 本来 就 很 容易 让人 不 舒服,你 别 介意。Tā shuōhuà de fāngshì běnlái jiù hěn róngyì ràng rén bú shūfu, nǐ bié jièyì.The way he talks oten makes people uncomfortable, so don't take it personally.

原来 + 是 for “It turns out”

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

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。Yuánlái shì nǐ a! Wǒ gāngcái zhēn méi kàn chūlái.It was you all along! I didn't recognize you until just now.
  • 怪不得 你 中文 说 得 这么 好,原来你 在 中国 住 了 三十 多 年。Guàibùdé nǐ Zhōngwén shuō de zhème hǎo, yuánláinǐ zài Zhōngguó zhù le sānshí duō nián.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。Yuánlái tāmen zhù zài yīqǐ, guàibùdé tāmen chángcháng yīqǐ shàng xiàbān.It turns out that they're living together. 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.Guàibùdé zǒng shì duì tā nàme hǎo, yuánlái nǐ yīzhí dōu xǐhuan tā.No wonder you treat him so well. You've had feelings for him the whole time.

原来 + 的 for "Previous" or "Former"

Structure

原来 + 的 + Noun

Examples

  • 这 是 我 原来 的 家。Zhè shì wǒ yuánlái de jiā.This is my old house.
  • 原来 的 公司 关门 了。yuánlái de gōngsī guānmén le.His former company closed down.
  • 你们 原来 的 看法 不 是 这样 的。Nǐmen yuánlái de kànfǎ bù shì zhèyàng de.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。Wǒ xiànzài de nán péngyǒu bǐ yuánlái de nán péngyǒu shuài duō le.My current boyfriend is a lot cuter than my ex.
  • 原来 的 头发 那么 黑,现在 白 了 很 多。yuánlái de tóufǎ nàme hēi, xiànzài bái le hěn duō.Your hair was so black before, but now it's become a lot grayer.

Sources and further reading

Books