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Expressing "Basically" with 基本 (jīběn)
Degree & Intensity
Manner & Method
Structure
基本 + Verb/Adjective
Explanation
基本 (jīběn) can function as an adverb meaning "basically" or "essentially." When used before a verb or adjective, it indicates that something is mostly or fundamentally the case, with only minor exceptions or variations.
Examples
这个项目基本完成了，还差一些小细节。
zhège xiàngmù jīběn wánchéng le, hái chà yīxiē xiǎo xìjié.
This project is basically finished; just a few small details remain.
我基本每天都会跑步半小时。
wǒ jīběn měitiān dōu huì pǎobù bàn xiǎoshí.
I basically run for half an hour every day.
他说的话我基本都同意，只有一点不太赞成。
tā shuō de huà wǒ jīběn dōu tóngyì, zhǐyǒu yīdiǎn bù tài zànchéng.
I basically agree with what he said; there's just one point I don't quite support.