1.
originally; by nature; essentially; properly
Refers to the original, inherent, or proper state or nature of something, or how something should be.
本来の目的を忘れないでください。
Please don't forget the original purpose.
本来なら今日届くはずだった。
It was supposed to arrive today originally.
この言葉の本来の意味を調べた。
I looked up the original meaning of this word.
本来 expresses the original, inherent, or proper state of something. It can function as an adverb ("originally"), a noun ("one's true nature"), or a modifier with の.
COMMON PATTERNS:
- 本来の + noun: the original/inherent ~ (本来の目的, 本来の意味)
- 本来なら: if things were as they should be, originally
- 本来は: originally, essentially
- 本来あるべき姿: the way something should properly be
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 元々: originally (more casual, conversational)
- 元来: by nature, inherently (more formal, literary)
- もともと: from the start (overlaps but less formal)
USAGE:
本来 often implies a gap between the ideal or original state and the current reality. It frequently appears in slightly formal contexts — essays, speeches, news commentary.