原来

原来 is an adverb that means 'originally' or 'previously'. It is used to express something that was true in the past but may no longer be the case, often introducing a contrast or revelation.

The character 原 (yuán) means 'original' or 'origin', and 来 (lái) means 'to come' or 'from'. Together, they convey the idea of 'what was once the case' or 'the original state' of something.

Originally used in classical Chinese, 原来 is commonly found in modern spoken and written Mandarin. It can be used to explain past conditions, clarify misunderstandings, or reveal hidden information. For example, it might appear in a conversation where someone realizes a mistake or learns new information about a situation.