About

The word 原本 is formed by combining two characters, 原 (yuán), meaning "source", "origin", or "original", and 本 (běn), meaning "root", "basis", or "fundamental". Together, they create a compound where each character reinforces and deepens the core concept of primal origin. The pairing is not a narrative sequence but a conceptual stacking, merging the idea of a primary source (原) with the idea of an underlying root or foundation (本), to powerfully express the notion of something in its earliest, most authentic, and unmodified state.

Example Sentences Hide

原本打算今天去公园。

Wǒ yuánběn dǎsuàn jīntiān qù gōngyuán.

I originally planned to go to the park today.

原本不会游泳,但现在学会了。

Tā yuánběn bù huì yóuyǒng, dàn xiànzài xuéhuì le.

He originally couldn't swim, but now he has learned.

这本书原本很旧,经过修复后变新了。

Zhè běn shū yuánběn hěn jiù, jīngguò xiūfù hòu biàn xīn le.

This book was originally very old, but after restoration, it became new.

我们原本以为项目会顺利,但遇到了意外困难。

Wǒmen yuánběn yǐwéi xiàngmù huì shùnlì, dàn yù dào le yìwài kùnnan.

We originally thought the project would go smoothly, but encountered unexpected difficulties.

这项政策原本的目的是促进经济增长,但实际效果却相反。

Zhè xiàng zhèngcè yuánběn de mùdì shì cùjìn jīngjì zēngzhǎng, dàn shíjì xiàoguǒ què xiāngfǎn.

The original purpose of this policy was to promote economic growth, but the actual effect was the opposite.

Word Definition - 原本

yuán běn originally; original

Individual Character Details