そもそも
そもそも
adverb
in the first place; to begin with; originally
1.
in the first place; to begin with
Used to question or refer back to fundamental premises or origins of a matter.
そもそも、なぜそんなことをしたの？
Why did you do such a thing in the first place?
そもそもこの計画には無理があった。
This plan was unreasonable from the start.
そもそも彼は来る気がなかった。
He had no intention of coming in the first place.
そもそも takes the listener back to a fundamental premise or starting point. It often implies that the current discussion has drifted from the real issue.
POSITION:
Usually placed at the beginning of a sentence or clause. Often followed by a question or a statement that challenges previous assumptions.
USAGE:
- Questioning assumptions: そもそもなぜ？ (why in the first place?)
- Pointing out fundamental flaws in a plan or argument
- Expressing skepticism or criticism indirectly
- Common in debates, discussions, and logical reasoning
KANJI:
Can be written as 抑々, though hiragana is standard in modern usage.
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 元々: originally (more neutral, less confrontational)
- 本来: originally, by nature (more formal)
- 第一: in the first place (similar critical tone)
Related Words
Synonym:
元々 (originally (neutral))
Synonym:
本来 (originally (formal))
Related:
第一 (in the first place)