本意

běn yì

HSK level: HSK 7–9

Meaning

original idea; real intention; etymon

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Characters

本běnroot, origin, source; basis木一意yìthought, idea, opinion; desire, wish; meaning, intention音心

Examples

那不是我的本意。

Nà bù shì wǒ de běn yì.

That wasn't my intent.

自私不是我的本意。

Zì sī bù shì wǒ de běn yì.

I didn't mean to be selfish.