Meaning
原本 expresses the idea of how something was 'originally' or 'initially' before a change occurred. It can describe an original state, plan, or intention that later became different. The word combines 原 (origin, source) with 本 (root, foundation) to emphasize the earliest or most fundamental form of something.
Usage
Native speakers commonly use 原本 to contrast a previous state with a current one, often followed by a change indicated by words like 但是 (but) or 后来 (later). It appears frequently in both spoken and written Chinese when recounting how situations evolved or expectations were not met. More formal than 本来 but similar in meaning.
Examples
- 01我原本打算今天去图书馆，但是下雨了。, .I originally planned to go to the library today, but it rained.
- 02这座建筑原本是一家医院，现在改成了博物馆。, .This building was originally a hospital, but now it has been converted into a museum.
Characters
Common collocations
- 原本计划original plan
- 原本以为originally thought
- 原本的样子original appearance
- 原本打算originally intended
Antonyms
Origin
The combination of 原 (original source) and 本 (root/foundation) creates a compound emphasizing the fundamental or initial state of something, reinforcing the concept of primacy or firstness.