本意

• Pinyin: běn yì
• Desglose de hanzi: 本 = 木 (tree) + 一 (root marker); 意 = 音 (sound) + 心 (heart)

Significado

intención original; verdadero propósito; sentido original

Refers to someone's genuine intention or the original meaning of words, as opposed to how they might be interpreted. Often used to clarify misunderstandings or explain that an outcome wasn't what was intended.

Ejemplos

1. 我的本意是想帮你，没想到反而添了麻烦。
2. 这个词的本意和现在的用法已经完全不同了。
3. 他的本意是好的，只是表达方式让人误会了。

Guía de uso

Contexto: clarification, apology, linguistics

Tono: explanatory

Correcto

• 我的本意不是这样。(That wasn't my intention.)
• 这个成语的本意是什么？(What's the original meaning of this idiom?)

Incorrecto

• 把事后辩解说成'本意' (Don't use 本意 as a convenient excuse after the fact — it should reflect genuine original intent)

Origen e historia

本 (original/fundamental) + 意 (meaning/intention). The original meaning or intention.

Contexto cultural

Generación: All ages

Contexto social: Universal