…本身
in itself; as such
Structure
名词／动词短语 本身 （并） 不／没有 … ， 关键是／问题在于／可怕的是 …
What it means
'In itself, as such': separates the thing itself from how it is used, its side effects or the people involved. After a person or body: 'themselves'.
How it is built
Noun/action + 本身 + (并)不／没有… + ， + 关键是／可怕的是 + real point: 分期付款本身并不可怕，可怕的是不算清楚就下单 (instalments aren't frightening in themselves; ordering without doing the sums is).
When to use it
Neutral and very common in reasoned argument: a fair concession, then the real point. After a body: 银行本身也有风险 (the banks themselves carry risk too).
Watch out
It follows what it refers to: ✗ 本身借钱没有错 ✓ 借钱本身没有错. Not 本来 (originally, at first), which is about time, not about the thing as such.
Examples
在她看来，借钱消费本身没有错，想及时行乐也可以理解。
In her view, borrowing to spend is not wrong in itself, and wanting to enjoy life while you can is understandable.
分期付款本身并不可怕，可怕的是不算清楚就下单。
Paying in instalments is not frightening in itself; what is frightening is placing the order without working out the cost.
这道题本身不难，难的是怎么在十分钟里做完。
The question itself is not hard; the hard part is finishing it in ten minutes.
Learn this in Lesson 189 · HSK 7–9: 先花后还 (Spend now, pay later)
A dialogue, a reading, word cards with audio and a drill that uses it, in Learn Chinese with Bao. The first lessons of every level are free.
Open the lesson →