もともと

も

と

も

と

Common wordJLPTN3Freq.FrequencyTop 5,000

Meanings

1

adverb, noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no'

originally; from the start; by nature

usually written using kana alone

Describes the original state or inherent nature of something. Often used when contrasting the past with the present, or when emphasizing that something has always been a certain way.

彼かれはもともと優やさしい人ひとだ。
He is a kind person by nature.

この町まちはもともと小ちいさな村むらだった。

This town was originally a small village.

2

na-adjective, noun

none the worse; even; same as before

usually written using kana alone

Used in conditional expressions like 〜てももともと or 〜でもともと to mean that even if something happens, the situation will be no worse than before, or the outcome will be the same. Often implies a sense of acceptance or low risk.

失しっ敗ぱいしてももともとだ。
Even if I fail, I'll be no worse off than before.
だめでもともとだから、やってみよう。
There's nothing to lose, so let's give it a try.

Written forms

もともとUsage84%
Usually written in kana. It is usually written in kana.
元もと々もとUsage16%
Common kanji spelling, especially in formal or written contexts. The repetition mark 々 is standard.
元もと元もとUsage<1%
Rare spelling without the repetition mark. Not commonly used.
モトモトUsage<1%
本もと々もと
rarely-used kanji form
Rarely used kanji form.
本もと本もと
rarely-used kanji form
Rarely used kanji form without the repetition mark.

Kanji

元beginning, former time, origin
本book, present, main

Similar words

元がん来らい
元来 is more formal and literary, often used in written language to mean 'originally' or 'by nature'. もともと is more colloquial and common in everyday speech.
本ほん来らい
本来 also means 'originally' or 'essentially', but it often carries a nuance of 'properly speaking' or 'by rights'. もともと is more neutral and simply states the original state.

Etymology

Reduplication of 元 (もと, 'origin, source'). The repetition emphasizes the original or inherent state. The exact historical derivation is straightforward.