そもそも
Somosomo
Usually written in kana.
Other forms: 抑々、抑抑、抑も
抑 (Somosomo) is a Japanese adverb meaning “in the first place, to begin with, from the start, originally”.
Meanings
- adverb, nounin the first place; to begin with; from the start; originally; ab initio
- conjunctionafter all; anyway; actually; well, ...; ... on earth (e.g. "what on earth?"); ... in the world (e.g. "why in the world?")used when bringing up something already mentioned
- noun, adjectival nounbeginning; start
Examples
そもそも君が来たとは驚いた。
I'm surprised you came at all.
そもそも彼が来たとしたら、驚きだ。
If he comes at all, it will be surprising.
そもそもなぜ鳥は移動するのだろうか。
Why do birds migrate in the first place?
Sentences from Tatoeba (CC BY 2.0 FR).