<ul>
<li><p>A: 他原本是做什麼的? B: 他本来(originally)是老师. This answer is a plain statement of fact - He originally was a teacher (it happens in the past, most likely not for now).</p>
</li>
<li><p>A: 他看起來像是教書的. B: 他本来就(of course)是老师. This answer is affirming the assumed position of the object in the question, with a slight sense of ridicule - He is a teacher without saying (it implies now, at this moment of speaking).</p>
</li>
</ul>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2022-04-09T02:34:06.297Z
It seems both interpretations are possible, depending on context.  Right?
Becky 李蓓
CC BY-SA 4.0
2022-04-09T06:19:48.523Z
I think it's uncommon to interpret 本来as "of course" without the 就, like what kyc pointed out
De Rien
CC BY-SA 4.0
2022-04-09T17:37:48.850Z
Please note the difference between the questions and the answers. In general, yes, it is depending on the context. See updates.
r13
CC BY-SA 4.0
2022-04-09T02:32:29.483Z
2022-04-09T17:40:45.387Z
2022-04-09T17:40:45.387Z
r13
<p>The meaning of &quot;of course&quot; is usually used in a structure of 本来+就. In your example without 就, I don't think 本来 can mean &quot;originally&quot;.</p>
<p>A good explanation can be found <a href="https://resources.allsetlearning.com/chinese/grammar/Expressing_%22originally%22_with_%22benlai%22" rel="nofollow noreferrer">here</a>.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2022-04-09T05:31:54.723Z
2022-04-21T07:28:43.853Z
2022-04-21T07:28:43.853Z
kyc
<blockquote>
<p><a href="https://www.mdbg.net/chinese/dictionary?wdqb=%E6%9C%AC%E6%9D%A5" rel="nofollow noreferrer">CC-CEDICT</a>: 本来 (běn​lái​) original / originally / at first / it goes without saying / of course</p>
</blockquote>
<p>I'm interested in the two adverb meanings of 本来, which my dictionary's definitions are:</p>
<ol>
<li>（副）从前，先前。</li>
<li>（副）表示理所当然。</li>
</ol>
<p>In some contexts, we can easily distinguish between these two meanings.  However, sometimes it's not so simple.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>他<strong>本来</strong>是老师。</p>
</blockquote>
<p>I get the impression this is ordinarily interpreted as meaning &quot;he was originally a teacher&quot;, but I don't see why it cannot also be interpreted as meaning &quot;he is of course a teacher&quot; via the second adverb meaning above.</p>
<p><strong>Question</strong>: Since 本来 means both &quot;originally&quot; and &quot;of course&quot;, how can I determine if 他本来是老师 means &quot;he was originally a teacher&quot; or &quot;he is of course a teacher&quot;?</p>

<meaning><word>
Since 本来 means both "originally" and "of course", how can I determine if 他本来是老师 means "he was originally a teacher" or "he is of course a teacher"?
# Since 本来 means both "originally" and "of course", how can I determine if 他本来是老师 means "he was originally a teacher" or "he is of course a teacher"?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2022-04-09)

> [CC-CEDICT](https://www.mdbg.net/chinese/dictionary?wdqb=%E6%9C%AC%E6%9D%A5): 本来 (běn​lái​) original / originally / at first / it goes without saying / of course

I'm interested in the two adverb meanings of 本来, which my dictionary's definitions are:

1. （副）从前，先前。
2. （副）表示理所当然。

In some contexts, we can easily distinguish between these two meanings. However, sometimes it's not so simple.

> 他**本来**是老师。

I get the impression this is ordinarily interpreted as meaning "he was originally a teacher", but I don't see why it cannot also be interpreted as meaning "he is of course a teacher" via the second adverb meaning above.

**Question**: Since 本来 means both "originally" and "of course", how can I determine if 他本来是老师 means "he was originally a teacher" or "he is of course a teacher"?

**Tags:** meaning, word


---

## 2 answers

### Answer by username_3 on 2022-04-09. Score: 5 | Accepted answer

The meaning of "of course" is usually used in a structure of 本来+就. In your example without 就, I don't think 本来 can mean "originally".

A good explanation can be found [here](https://resources.allsetlearning.com/chinese/grammar/Expressing_%22originally%22_with_%22benlai%22).


---

### Answer by username_1 on 2022-04-09. Score: 1

* A: 他原本是做什麼的? B: 他本来(originally)是老师. This answer is a plain statement of fact - He originally was a teacher (it happens in the past, most likely not for now).
* A: 他看起來像是教書的. B: 他本来就(of course)是老师. This answer is affirming the assumed position of the object in the question, with a slight sense of ridicule - He is a teacher without saying (it implies now, at this moment of speaking).

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: It seems both interpretations are possible, depending on context.  Right?  
> **username_2**: I think it's uncommon to interpret 本来as "of course" without the 就, like what kyc pointed out  
> **username_1**: Please note the difference between the questions and the answers. In general, yes, it is depending on the context. See updates.  

---

