本意

běnyì

noun HSK 7-9 #8,523

Meanings

1 original intention
2 real intention

Characters

meaning; intention

Examples

HSK 1

我的本意是好的。

Wǒ de běnyì shì hǎode.

My original intention was good.

HSK 4

他的本意并不是伤害你。

Tā de běnyì bìngbù shì shānghài nǐ.

His intention was not to hurt you.

Tips

usage

本意 focuses on the original/true intention behind an action. Compare with 故意 (gùyì, deliberately) and 好意 (hǎoyì, good intentions).

Stroke Order

本 běn

意 yì