How to Say ‘Originally wanted to’ in Simplified Chinese
本来想
běn lái xiǎng
[ben-lye shyahng]
💬 Usage Tip: [本来] means 'originally' or 'at first,' often before what you planned or expected: [我本来想走] or [本来以为你不来].
Phrase Breakdown
本来
běn lái
[ben-lye]
originally; at first
Used to say what you intended or expected before something changed.
我本来想早点回家，结果还是留下来陪你聊了。
I originally wanted to go home early, but I ended up staying to chat with you.
想
xiǎng
[shyahng]
to want; to think; to feel like
A common verb for wanting to do something or having something in mind.
我本来想请你喝一杯，没想到你先开口了。
I was going to buy you a drink, but I didn’t expect you to speak first.
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