本意 běnyì original idea
original idea; real intention; etymon
How to remember 本意: 本 source + 意 idea = original idea.
Characters
How it is used
- 'Original intention, real meaning' - 我的本意不是这样 (wǒ de běnyì bú shì zhèyàng) that's not what I meant.
- Used to clarify true intent after a misunderstanding.
- Also 'original/literal meaning' of a word (词的本意), vs. extended senses.
Example sentences
- 那不是我的本意。 Nà búshì wǒ de běnyì.That wasn't my intent.
- 自私不是我的本意。 Zìsī búshì wǒ de běnyì.I didn't mean to be selfish.