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本来(běnlái) — meaning, uses and examples

1. adjective original (attributive)

   这就是它本来的颜色。

   Zhè jiù shì tā běnlái de yánsè.

   This is its original color.

2. adverb originally; at first

   我本来想去，后来有事没去成。

   Wǒ běnlái xiǎng qù, hòulái yǒu shì méi qùchéng.

   I originally wanted to go, but something came up and I couldn't.

3. adverb it goes without saying; by rights

   这件事本来就该他做。

   Zhè jiàn shì běnlái jiù gāi tā zuò.

   This was his job to do in the first place.