Chinese Grammar Reference logo

    Chinese Grammar

    Expressing 'originally' with 原 (yuán)

    Sequence & Order
    Time Expressions

    Structure

    Subject + 原 + Verb Phrase

    Explanation

    The adverb 原 (yuán) means "originally" or "formerly," indicating what was previously thought, planned, or the case before a change occurred. It is a concise, slightly literary alternative to 原来. For example, 许多人原以为投票结果会更加接近 means "many people originally thought the vote would be closer."

    Examples

    • 我原打算今天去爬山，结果下雨了。

      Wǒ yuán dǎsuàn jīntiān qù páshān, jiéguǒ xià yǔ le.

      I originally planned to go hiking today, but then it rained.

    • 他原是一名老师，后来转行做了设计师。

      Tā yuán shì yī míng lǎoshī, hòulái zhuǎnháng zuò le shèjìshī.

      He was originally a teacher, but later switched careers and became a designer.

    • 这块地原属于一个农场。

      Zhè kuài dì yuán shǔyú yī gè nóngchǎng.

      This piece of land originally belonged to a farm.

    Similar Grammar

    Expressing 'originally' with 原 (yuán) | Chinese Grammar