Meaning

    original; originally

Pronunciation

    Tone marks: ► běn lái
    Tone numbers: ben3 lai2

Chinese Characters

    Traditional: 本來
    Simplified: 本來

    First Character: 本 (běn) - roots or stems of plants; origin; source; foundation;
    Second Character: 來 (lái) - to come

Examples of Běn Lái

    ► Wǒ běn lái xiǎng qù Yīngguó wán.
    我本來想去英國玩｡
    我本来想去英国玩｡
    I was originally planning to go to England.

    ► Tā běn lái xiǎng dào yín háng shàng bān.
    她本來想到銀行上班｡
    她本来想到银行上班｡
    She was originally thinking of working at a bank.