そもそも
somosomo

Noun
Adverb

1. in the first place; to begin with; from the start; originally; ab initio

Usually Written in Kana
そもそもなぜ とり移動 いどうするのだろうか。
somosomo naze toriwa idō suru nodarōka.
Why do birds migrate in the first place?
Conjunction

2. after all; anyway; actually; well, ...; ... on earth (e.g. "what on earth?"); ... in the world (e.g. "why in the world?")

Usually Written in Kana
そもそも事故 じこ大半 たいはん熱帯 ねったい雨林 うりんではなく、身近 みじか場所 ばしょでおこるのである。
somosomo jikono taihanwa nettaiurindewanaku mijikana bashode okoru nodearu.
Most accidents, after all, happen around the corner, not in the rainforest.
Noun
no-Adjective

3. beginning; start

Usually Written in Kana
Other forms: