本来

běnlái

Meaning

本来 is an adverb with two main meanings: 1. “By rights”, “should have” — what logically ought to have been. 2. “Originally”, “at first” — an earlier situation.

1. “By rights” / “should have”

Subject + 本来 + 应该 + Verb

这(Zhè)件(jiàn)事(shì)本(běn)来(lái)应(yīng)该(gāi)听(tīng)他(tā)的(de)。

We should have listened to him about this.

2. “Originally” / “at first”

我(Wǒ)本(běn)来(lái)不(bù)会(huì)开(kāi)车(chē)，但(dàn)现(xiàn)在(zài)开(kāi)得(de)特(tè)别(bié)好(hǎo)。

I couldn't drive before, but now I drive very well.

这(Zhè)次(cì)招(zhāo)聘(pìn)本(běn)来(lái)是(shì)小(Xiǎo)李(Lǐ)负(fù)责(zé)的(de)。

Xiao Li was originally in charge of this recruitment.

本来 vs. 原来

我(Wǒ)本(běn)来(lái)想(xiǎng)去(qù)。

I originally wanted to go.

原(Yuán)来(lái)你(nǐ)会(huì)说(shuō)中(Zhōng)文(wén)！

So you can speak Chinese!

本来 → the original situation, plan, or what ought to have been. 原来 → something newly discovered or realised.

Quick rule

本(Běn)来(lái)应(yīng)该(gāi)告(gào)诉(su)你(nǐ)。

I should have told you.

我(Wǒ)本(běn)来(lái)不(bù)会(huì)游(yóu)泳(yǒng)。

I couldn't swim before.

本来 ≠ 原来本来 → the original plan or situation 原来 → a newly discovered fact