もとより・元より・固より・素よりmotoyori[1]atamadaka (head-high)

1. adverbfrom the beginning; from the first; all along; originally
   もとより私は最悪さいあくの事態じたいを覚悟かくごしていた。↗

   From the outset I was prepared for the worst.
2. adverbof course
   もとよりそんなことは承知しょうちの上うえだ。↗

   Of course I am aware of that.
3. adverbnot to mention ...; not only ... but also ...; to say nothing of ...usu. as ...はもとより...も
   低賃金ていちんぎん、劣悪れつあくな労働条件ろうどうじょうけん、一方的いっぽうてきな首切くびきりなどの経済けいざい・労働ろうどう問題もんだいはもとより、各種かくしゅの人道的じんどうてき問題もんだいまでも引き起ひきおこしている。↗

   Of course, they are suffering from terrible working conditions such as low wages and arbitrary layoffs, as well as from various forms of discrimination.

• Synonym元来がんらいNeutralAn adverb for traits or states one has by nature from the start, as in 「元来体が弱い」; it stresses innate character, while 「元より」 can also mean 'not to mention'.
• SynonymもともとNeutralMeans 'originally, from the start', and also 'nothing to lose' in 「駄目で元々」; the most common of these words in everyday speech.
• Related最初さいしょNeutralA noun for the very beginning of something, stressing first in order; it does not carry the 'of course' or 'not to mention' sense of 「元より」.

Use 「元より」 for something true from the outset or 'not to mention', often as 「〜はもとより」, e.g. 「国内はもとより海外でも」. For 'originally' pick 「元々」 or 「元来」; for 'the beginning' use 「最初」.

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

1. はじめから。
2. （「体言たいげん+はもとより」「すればもとより」の形かたちで）もちろん。いうまでもなく。
3. 元来がんらい。原はら来らい。