元もとは

expression

originally; in the beginning; at first

Used to describe how something was at an earlier time, often contrasting with the current state. Common in both spoken and written Japanese.

• 元もとはと言いえば、この問もん題だいは彼かれの誤ご解かいから始はじまった。

  Originally, this problem started from his misunderstanding.

• この建たて物ものは元もとは学がっ校こうだった。

  This building was originally a school.