original / originally
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originally
Refers to the beginning or the first state of something. It describes how something was at the start, before it changed.
Ursprünglich wollte ich Medizin studieren, habe mich dann aber für Jura entschieden.
Originally, I wanted to study medicine, but then I decided on law.
The word contains the stem 'Ursprung' (origin). The prefix 'ur-' means 'right at the beginning' or 'original'. An 'Ursprung' is therefore the point at which something begins.
Der Ursprung des Konflikts liegt viele Jahre zurück.
The origin of the conflict lies many years in the past.
The position in the sentence helps you recognize the meaning. If 'ursprünglich' (originally) stands at the beginning of the sentence, it usually means 'first' or 'initially'. If it stands directly before a noun, it describes that noun's original state.
Ursprünglich war das Haus viel kleiner.
Originally, the house was much smaller.
When 'ursprünglich' (originally) means 'initially', it often stands in position 1 in the sentence. The conjugated verb then follows directly in position 2. It often introduces a contrast that continues with 'aber' (but) or 'dann' (then).
Ursprünglich war ein Ausflug geplant, aber das Wetter war zu schlecht.
Originally, an outing was planned, but the weather was too bad.
In the meaning of 'natürlich' (natural) or 'unverfälscht' (unaltered), the adjective is often combined with nouns from the areas of nature, culture, or food, e.g. 'eine ursprüngliche Landschaft' (a pristine landscape), 'ein ursprüngliches Dorf' (an original/traditional village), or 'der ursprüngliche Geschmack' (the original taste).
In den Alpen gibt es noch viele ursprüngliche Wälder.
In the Alps, there are still many pristine forests.
natural / of course
'natürlich' and 'ursprünglich' can both describe something as not artificial or not heavily changed. 'natürlich' is especially suitable when something comes from nature or seems unaffected. 'ursprünglich' focuses more on the beginning: it says how something was at first, before it changed. You can confuse the words when talking about an old or genuine state. As a guide: 'natürlich' is more about nature or genuineness, while 'ursprünglich' is more about the first state.
Das Haus war ursprünglich eine kleine Schule, später wurde es zu Wohnungen umgebaut.
The house was originally a small school; later, it was converted into apartments.
Im Laden kauft Lena nur natürliche Seife ohne künstlichen Duft.
At the store, Lena only buys natural soap without artificial fragrance.