This is the 1178th most frequent Japanese word.
本来
"本来" means "originally" or "by nature."
本来 is used here to signify the original or fundamental expectation.
本来、この問題はもっと早く対処するべきだった。
Originally, this issue should have been addressed earlier.
本来 is employed to describe someone's inherent or usual nature.
彼は本来自分の意見をはっきり述べる性格なのに、今回は控えめだった。
He is originally the type to articulate his opinions clearly, but this time he was reserved.
本来 is used to denote the fundamental or natural essence of Japanese tea.