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原先打算
yuánxiān dǎsuàn
originally intended
原先打算去上海出差，但临时有变故。
I originally intended to go to Shanghai on a business trip, but something came up last minute.
formal
originally intended to do something
原先打算买一辆新车，但价格太贵了。
I originally intended to buy a new car, but the price was too high.
她原先打算学医，但最后选择了法律。
She originally intended to study medicine, but ended up choosing law.
Used to describe a prior intention that may have changed. Often followed by a contrasting clause.
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Contrast with actual outcome
Use '原先打算' when you want to emphasize the contrast between an original plan and what actually happened. Pair it with '但' or '结果' to show the shift in intention.
Gold Rule
Temporal marker
This phrase always refers to a past intention that is no longer valid. It cannot be used for present or future intentions.
Word Origin
The phrase combines '原先' (yuánxiān, originally) and '打算' (dǎsuàn, to plan/intend), both native Chinese words. '打算' derives from '打' (to hit/plan) and '算' (to calculate), reflecting the idea of planning through calculation.
Usage Notes
This phrase is used in both spoken and written Chinese to express a past intention that was later abandoned or modified. It often appears in narratives to contrast earlier plans with subsequent actions. The tone is neutral to formal.
Word Breakdown
原先
originally
adverb打算
to plan/intend
verb汉英词典