How to say 'Originally' in Japanese | 本来

Wondering how to say 'Originally' in Japanese? You're in the right place!

The Japanese word for Originally is 'Honrai', written as 本来 in Japanese.'Originally' in hiragana is ほんらい.

word

本来

Meaning

Originally

Reading

ほんらい

honrai

Kanji

本Book, Origin 来Come

Explanation

The Japanese adverb '本来 (ほんらい)' means 'originally' or 'by nature'. It is used to describe something that is inherent, fundamental, or true in its original state. It often implies a contrast between the natural or intended state of something and its current state. For example: This land was originally a forest「この土地は本来、森でした」(このとちはほんらい、もりでした). He is by nature a kind person「彼は本来、優しい人です」(かれはほんらい、やさしいひとです). The word can also be used to emphasize the true nature or purpose of something, as in '本来の目的 (ほんらいのもくてき) (original purpose)'.

Part Of Speech

adverb

Kanji JLPT

Kanji Grade

Frequency

5149

Composition

kanji

Handwriting

Kanji in the Word 本来

This word contains 2 kanji characters:

kanji

本

Meaning

Book, Origin

kanji

来

Meaning

Come

Words Related to 本来 Through the Kanji 本

These 35 Words contain the Kanji 本 as well.

word

日本

Meaning

Japan

word

本

Meaning

Book

word

本当

Meaning

Truth

word

本当に

Meaning

Really

word

基本

Meaning

Basis

word

本屋

Meaning

Bookstore

word

資本

Meaning

Capital

word

本人

Meaning

Person

word

本棚

Meaning

Bookshelf

word

本箱

Meaning

Bookshelf

word

本質

Meaning

Essence

word

本書

Meaning

This book

word

本の

Meaning

Mere

word

本部

Meaning

Headquarters

word

根本

Meaning

Root, Basis

word

本物

Meaning

Real, Genuine

word

本格

Meaning

Genuine

word

資本主義

Meaning

Capitalism

word

本社

Meaning

Headquarters

word

本能

Meaning

Instinct

word

本年

Meaning

This year

word

本日

Meaning

Today

word

手本

Meaning

Example, Model

word

本気

Meaning

Serious

word

見本

Meaning

Example, Sample

word

本国

Meaning

Home country

word

本店

Meaning

Main store

word

古本

Meaning

Used book

word

本文

Meaning

Main text

word

本音

Meaning

True feelings

word

本格的

Meaning

Genuine

word

日本酒

Meaning

Sake

word

本願

Meaning

Vow

word

絵本

Meaning

Picture book

word

本体

Meaning

Main body

Words Related to 本来 Through the Kanji 来

These 27 Words contain the Kanji 来 as well.

word

来る

Meaning

Come

word

出来る

Meaning

Can, Be made

word

来月

Meaning

Next month

word

来週

Meaning

Next week

word

持って来る

Meaning

Bring

word

将来

Meaning

Future

word

以来

Meaning

Since

word

連れて来る

Meaning

Bring

word

従来

Meaning

Tradition

word

再来年

Meaning

Year after next

word

再来月

Meaning

Month after next

word

再来週

Meaning

Week after next

word

未来

Meaning

Future

word

行き来

Meaning

Coming and going

word

元来

Meaning

Originally

word

出来事

Meaning

Event

word

外来語

Meaning

Loanword

word

出来上がる

Meaning

Complete

word

由来

Meaning

Origin

word

やって来る

Meaning

Come

word

来日

Meaning

Arrival

word

出来上がり

Meaning

Completion

word

出来るだけ

Meaning

As much as possible

word

来年

Meaning

Next year

word

来

Meaning

word

如来

Meaning

Buddha

word

外来

Meaning

Foreign

Learn the Word 本来

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What does 'Honrai' (本来) mean?

'Honrai' means 'Originally' .

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