Chinese–EnglishWith examples

本意

běn yì · ben yi

Same in simplified and traditional Chinese

HSK 7–9

Meaning

CC-CEDICT
  1. original idea
  2. real intention
  3. etymon
Embed this word

Put this word on your class page or blog. Keep the link under the frame, so people can find the word. More widgets

In a conversation

0:19 cartoon

What I meant

  1. Liangliang

    你(nǐ)说(shuō)我(wǒ)的(de)帽子(màozi)很(hěn)特别(tèbié)，是(shì)什么(shénme)意思(yìsi)？

    You said my hat is special. What do you mean?

  2. Dengdeng

    我(wǒ)的(de)本意(běnyì)是(shì)夸(kuā)你(nǐ)，真的(zhēnde)。

    I meant it as a compliment, really.

  3. Liangliang

    可是(kěshì)你(nǐ)一直(yīzhí)在(zài)笑(xiào)。

    But you keep laughing.

  4. Dengdeng

    我(wǒ)的(de)本意(běnyì)很(hěn)好(hǎo)，你(nǐ)别(bié)多想(duōxiǎng)。

    My intention was good. Do not overthink.

  5. Liangliang

    那(nà)你(nǐ)为什么(wèishénme)说(shuō)它(tā)像(xiàng)西瓜(xīguā)？

    Then why did you say it looks like a watermelon?

  6. Dengdeng

    西瓜(xīguā)……也(yě)很(hěn)好看(hǎokàn)啊(a)。

    Watermelons are pretty too.

Tap a word for its meaning in this line. The characters’ voices are computer-generated.

In a sentence

2 examples
01

你(nǐ)所(suǒ)说(shuō)的(de)话(huà)取(qǔ)决(jué)于(yú)你(nǐ)的(de)本(běn)意(yì)。

The word you use depends on your intended meaning.

Tatoeba: Chinese by jamesforsyth · English by jamesforsyth · CC BY 2.0 FR. Pinyin added or corrected.

02

我(wǒ)本(běn)意(yì)是(shì)帮(bāng)你(nǐ)，没(méi)想(xiǎng)到(dào)反(fǎn)而(ér)添(tiān)了(le)麻(má)烦(fan)。

My original intention was to help you; I didn't expect to cause trouble instead.

Sources & licenses

How to write

Stroke order & practice

Choose a character to watch its strokes or trace it yourself.

Mainland China stroke order, including traditional characters. Drawing sources & licenses.

Definitions adapted from CC-CEDICT, published by MDBG and its contributors, under CC BY-SA 4.0. Pinyin display and entry grouping have been adapted.

Browse all wordsExplore words in context