もともと・元々・元元・本本・本々motomoto[0]heiban (flat)

1. adverb, no-adjectiveoriginally; from the start; from the beginning; from the outset; by nature
   彼かれらは元々もともとあった文明ぶんめいを破壊はかいした。↗

   They destroyed the native civilization.
2. na-adjective, nounnone the worse (for); (coming out) even; in the same position (as before)usu. as 〜て(も)もともと, 〜でもともと, etc.

• SynonymもとよりWrittenWritten/formal prose: 'of course' or 'all along'; in the pattern 「～は元より」 it adds 'not to mention'. More literary than 「元々」.
• Synonym元来がんらいWrittenWritten/formal prose: 'by nature' or 'essentially', as in 「元来の性格」; carries a solemn tone. 「元々」 is the everyday word for 'originally'.
• Related最初さいしょNeutralNeutral: a noun for the very beginning of something, stressing time order. 「元々」 stresses how things were from the start, not a point in time.
• RelatedはじめにNeutralNeutral: 'first' or 'to begin with', marking the first step in a sequence. 「元々」 says something was so from the outset, not about order.

Use 「元々」 for 'originally' or 'none the worse'. In formal prose, 「元来」 means 'by nature' and 「元より」 'of course / not to mention'. For time order or sequence, pick 「最初」 or 「初めに」.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

1. 大本おおもと。根本こんぽん。
2. 人民じんみん。国民こくみん。万民ばんみん。