本来

originally, at first

adverb Common #2,956
originally, at first Often indicates what was true, planned, or expected before circumstances changed.
CH: 我本来想早点回家。
EN: I originally wanted to go home early.

你今天本来没要上场的吧?

You weren't supposed to play today, were you?

— 大病 (2017)

本来我们约好了他要带我去新加坡的他说那边圣诞不会这么冷

We had originally agreed that he would take me to Singapore. He said it wouldn’t be so cold there at Christmas.

— 2046 (2004)

你以前本来是个天才

You used to be a genius.

— 天才一族 (2001)

本来只是想用来给你个惊喜

I originally just wanted to use it to surprise you.

— 再见列宁 (2003)

你本来不是反对跟他合作怎么现在又赞成了?

Weren’t you against working with him? Why are you in favor of it now?

— 一一 (2000)

本来还会更多

There would have been even more originally.

— 风吹麦浪 (2006)

“本来以为情况会好转”

I thought things would get better.

— 控制 (2007)

本来这间屋子就冷!

This room was already cold to begin with!

— 怒火青春 (1995)

我们本来准备明天去海边的,但是预计明天有雨。

We were planning to go to the beach tomorrow, but rain is expected.

我去年本来希望能够进入大学

I had hoped to get into college last year.

— 莫斯科不相信眼泪 (1980)

最近是这样的本来手掌像嘴唇

Lately it’s been like this—the palm originally looked like lips.

— 分手的决心 (2022)

本来我想叫她起床

I was originally going to wake her up.

— 重庆森林 (1994)

我们本来选的人少的道但现在变成人最多的道了

We originally chose the less crowded lane, but now it’s the busiest one.

— I Am What I Am (2021)

虽然我们本来也觉得年轻司机不错司机还是年长一点比较好吧?

Although we thought young drivers were good to begin with, it’s probably better to have a somewhat older driver, right?

— 寄生虫 (2019)

本来呢

Well, originally...

— 看见恶魔 (2010)

那是因为你本来要加入吗?

Is that because you were planning to join in the first place?

— 奥本海默 (2023)

本来还希望和那条狗一起玩玩的

I was actually hoping to play with that dog too.

— 趣味游戏 (1997)

本来这间房间里没有家具。

Originally, this room had no furniture.

哎哟那个,都说用不着申爱小姐了本来心情就不好…

Oh, come on. I already said we don’t need Miss Shin Ae. I’m in a bad mood as it is…

— 密阳 (2007)

我朋友本来在厨房车厢现在救了人要过来这边

My friend was in the kitchen car, but they just rescued someone and are coming over here now.

— 釜山行 (2016)

我们本来同意和你聊聊的

We originally agreed to talk with you.

— 怒火青春 (1995)

事情本来都很简单

Things were supposed to be simple.

— 控制 (2007)

本来我早就想把花送给你了

I’d been meaning to give you the flowers a long time ago.

— 爱,没有明天 (2003)

那部分本来要花很多很多年才会改变,不过也许已经开始了。

That part was supposed to take many, many years to change, but maybe it’s already started.

这些本来都收起来了

These had all been put away already.

— 罗马 (2018)

本来还希望今晚你也来酒吧帮忙

I was also hoping you could come help out at the bar tonight.

— 铃芽之旅 (2022)

本来都可以进来的

They could all come in originally.

— 釜山行 (2016)

我想再次感谢你对我们的通融我们本来只有三个人但有人私下邀请了他

I’d like to thank you again for making an exception for us. There were originally only three of us, but someone invited him privately.

— 青春年少 (1998)

他本来害怕一个教授不会让女儿嫁给他

He was initially afraid that a professor wouldn’t let his daughter marry him.

— 莫斯科不相信眼泪 (1980)

或者本来要结婚。

Or they were supposed to get married.

本来一切都很顺利我们开车到了那,接着那些人就来了

Everything was going smoothly at first. We drove there, and then those people showed up.

— 罗拉快跑 (1998)

本来易太太选了这一块又放下了!

Mrs. Yi had picked this one out, but then put it back!

— 色‧戒 (2007)

里面那个女孩本来很好的可是她失去了自信

The girl in there was doing fine, but she lost her confidence.

— 搏击俱乐部 (1999)

嗨,你本来不打算帮我开门吗?

Hey, weren’t you going to open the door for me?

— 痛苦与荣耀 (2019)

本来这事就快成了

It was almost a done deal.

— 雨水危机 (2011)

巴特,你本来的身体现在还剩多少?

Bart, how much of your original body do you still have left?

— 攻壳机动队 (1995)

本来都很顺利的,可是…警察,别动…可是怎样?

Everything was going smoothly, but then… Police! Don’t move! But then what?

— 搏击俱乐部 (1999)

本来我不想这么做的

I didn’t want to do this in the first place.

— 梦幻之地 (1989)

本来不是现在的厨师

I wasn't originally a chef.

— 美食总动员 (2007)

本来这镇长是我让你先做的…

I was the one who asked you to take on the town mayor role first…

— 海角七号 (2008)

那本来我是想留给自己用的。

I had originally planned to keep that for myself.

— 甘泉玛侬 (1986)

情况本来还可能更糟。

Things could have been even worse.