本来 (Honrai) is a Japanese adverb meaning “originally, primarily, essentially, intrinsically”.
Meanings
- adverb, noun, adjectival nounoriginally; primarily
- adverb, noun, adjectival nounessentially; intrinsically; naturally; by nature; in (and of) itself
- adjectival noun, nounproper; rightful; legal; normal
Examples
恋は本来盲目である。
Love is by nature blind.
彼は本来はいい男だ。
He is basically a nice man.
これは本来無害です。
This is harmless in itself.
Sentences from Tatoeba (CC BY 2.0 FR).