元来

元來

yuánlái

adverb

Meanings

1 (variant of 原来) originally
2 as it turns out
3 so that's how it is

Characters

original / first (= 原)

Examples

HSK 3

他元来是这家公司的老板。

Tā yuánlái shì zhè jiā gōngsī de lǎobǎn.

It turns out he's the boss of this company.

HSK 5

元来如此！我终于明白了。

Yuánlái rúcǐ! Wǒ zhōngyú míngbái le.

So that's how it is! I finally understand.

Tips

usage

An older variant of 原来 (yuánlái), common in Ming/Qing vernacular novels (e.g. 水浒传, 红楼梦). Modern Mandarin uses 原来 almost exclusively - encountering 元来 usually flags a classical or pre-modern text.

Stroke Order

元 yuán

来 lái