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    Chinese Grammar

    Expressing 'it turns out that' with 原来 (yuánlái)

    Result & Consequence
    Topic & Focus

    Structure

    原来 + Clause

    Explanation

    The adverb 原来 (yuánlái) means 'it turns out that,' 'originally,' or 'so it was.' It is used to express a realization or discovery about something that was previously unknown or misunderstood. It often introduces surprising or clarifying information in a narrative.

    Examples

    • 原来你们两个是同学啊，我一直不知道！

      Yuánlái nǐmen liǎng gè shì tóngxué a, wǒ yīzhí bù zhīdào!

      So you two are classmates! I never knew!

    • 找了半天钥匙，原来在口袋里。

      Zhǎo le bàntiān yàoshi, yuánlái zài kǒudài lǐ.

      I looked everywhere for my keys, and they were in my pocket all along.

    • 原来他早就知道这件事了。

      Yuánlái tā zǎo jiù zhīdào zhè jiàn shì le.

      So he knew about this all along.

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    Expressing 'it turns out that' with 原来 (yuánlái) | Chinese Grammar