AdverbsHSK 4

Expressing "basically" with 基本上

基本上 is an adverb used to indicate that something is generally true, though there may be small exceptions.

It typically appears before a verb, adjective, or whole clause to give a summary or approximation of a situation.

Structure

基本上 + Verb / Adjective / Clause

Use to summarize or give a general statement about a situation.

Subj. + 基本上 + 是 + Noun / Adj.

Common in the pattern "基本上是..." to state what something is generally like.

这件事基本上已经做完了。
Zhè jiàn shì jī běn shàng yǐ jīng zuò wán le.
This matter is basically already finished.
他说的基本上都对。
Tā shuō de jī běn shàng dōu duì.
What he said is basically all correct.
我们家的收入基本上够用。
Wǒ men jiā de shōu rù jī běn shàng gòu yòng.
Our family's income is basically enough to get by.
这个计划基本上没有什么问题。
Zhè ge jì huà jī běn shàng méi yǒu shén me wèn tí.
This plan basically has no problems.
他们的意见基本上是一致的。
Tā men de yì jiàn jī běn shàng shì yí zhì de.
Their opinions are basically the same.