そもそも

そもそも · somo somo

JLPT N2

Meaning

in the first place, to begin with, originally, from the outset

Examples

• そもそも、この計画は本当に必要なのか？ — In the first place, is this plan really necessary?
• そもそも彼はそんなことをするような人ではない。 — To begin with, he's not the kind of person who would do such a thing.
• この問題は、そもそもどこから始まったのだろう？ — This problem, where did it even begin in the first place?