GoMe
EN

Vocabulary

What does 本来 (ほんらい, honrai) mean?

本来 (ほんらい, honrai) means originally, essentially; properly speaking.

Quick facts
Readingほんらい
Romajihonrai
Part of speechadverb, noun, no-adjective
Level (estimated, JLPT framework)N2
ほんらい
N2 · estimated, JLPT frameworkCommonhonrai

originally, essentially; properly speaking

  1. 1adverb · noun · no-adjective originally; primarily
  2. 2adverb · noun · no-adjective essentially; intrinsically; naturally
  3. 3no-adjective · noun proper; rightful; legal

Example sentences

  • Originally, today was supposed to be a day off.

  • This is not the original way to use it.

Kanji in this word

Look up another word →

Data sources and licences

Entries, readings and English glosses: JMdict — Electronic Dictionary Research and Development Group (EDRDG), licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Example sentences and their translations written by GoMe.

Voice: VOICEVOX Nemo.

N5–N1 levels on this page are estimates based on the JLPT framework, drawn from community benchmarks. GoMe Nihongo is not affiliated with the Japan Foundation or JEES, which administer the JLPT.