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    Chinese Grammar

    Expressing 'originally' with 本 (běn)

    Emphasis
    Time Expressions

    Structure

    本 + Verb/Adjective

    Explanation

    The adverb 本 (běn) means 'originally,' 'fundamentally,' or 'by nature.' In classical Chinese, it indicates that something was inherently or initially a certain way. For example, 本是同根生 means 'we were originally born from the same root.' It emphasizes the original state of things.

    Examples

    • 他本是个安静的人，今天却话特别多。

      tā běn shì gè ānjìng de rén, jīntiān què huà tèbié duō.

      He is normally a quiet person, but today he talked a lot.

    • 这里本是一片荒地，现在变成了公园。

      zhèlǐ běn shì yí piàn huāngdì, xiànzài biànchéng le gōngyuán.

      This place was originally wasteland, but now it has become a park.

    • 我本想早点出门，结果又睡过头了。

      wǒ běn xiǎng zǎodiǎn chūmén, jiéguǒ yòu shuì guòtóu le.

      I had originally planned to leave early, but I overslept again.

    Similar Grammar

    Expressing 'originally' with 本 (běn) | Chinese Grammar