“motomoto”: Originally, From the Start, By Nature [JLPT N3]
By Nihongo to Japan · Updated July 3, 2026
“Motomoto kare wa yasashii hito da” — it's been that way from the very beginning
“motomoto”: Originally / From the Start / By Nature
「もともと」 is an adverb meaning something has been a certain way from the very beginning — stressing that the present state exists because it was so from the start. E.g. 「もともと彼は優しい人だ」 (he's a kind person by nature), 「もともとそういう計画ではなかった」 (that was never the plan to begin with). It can also be written 「元々」.
🧠 Core nuance: back to the “starting point” state
The key is the point of origin in time: not something that became so later, but an essence or fact present from the outset. It often explains how things came to be (this land was originally a field), a person's nature (もともと体が弱い), or gives yourself an out (ダメでもともと = nothing to lose since it was a long shot anyway).
📌 How to Connect
| Usage | Pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Adverb (modifies a clause) | もともと ＋ clause | もともとここは静かだった |
| ＋ noun (with の) | もともとの ＋ noun | もともとの計画 |
| Idiom | ダメでもともと | 落ちてもともと、受けてみる |
💬 Example Sentences
- 彼はもともと英語の先生だった。(He was originally an English teacher.) — explaining background
- この道はもともと畑だったらしい。(This road was apparently a field originally.) — origin of a thing
- 私はもともと朝が苦手なんだ。(I'm just not a morning person by nature.) — innate trait
- ダメでもともと、応募してみよう。(Nothing to lose — let's just apply.) — idiom
- もともとそんなに期待していなかった。(I never had high hopes to begin with.) — original mindset
🔄 Compare: もともと vs 本来 vs はじめから vs 元来
| Expression | Nuance | Example |
|---|---|---|
| もともと | colloquial, natural — “originally, by nature” | もともと優しい |
| 本来(ほんらい) | more formal — “properly speaking, ought to” | 本来あるべき姿 |
| はじめから | “from the very start,” stresses the starting point | はじめから無理だった |
| 元来(がんらい) | written, stiff — “originally, in essence” | 元来真面目な性格 |
⚠️ Common Mistakes
- Using it for future events: もともと describes an original past state: ✗ もともと明日来る (future).
- Pairing with contradictory words: もともと clashes with わざと (on purpose) or すぐ (right away).
- Mistaking it for “the first time”: it means “originally / by nature,” not “first time.”
- Forgetting の before a noun: modify a noun as もともとの計画, not もともと計画.
💡 Nuance & When to Use
もともと is very colloquial and everyday — natural for explaining origins, owning up to your nature, or self-consolation (ダメでもともと). Its tone is neutral, neither formal nor stiff, ideal for chatting and giving background. For a more formal, written feel switch to 本来 / 元来, but in conversation もともと rolls off the tongue best.
🎯 JLPT Exam Tips
- Common at N3: matched against adverbs like そろそろ / わざと / せっかく — lock onto the “originally, by nature” meaning.
- Idiom: 「ダメでもともと」 (nothing to lose) is a set phrase that shows up in questions.
- It describes a fact / essence that existed in the past — rule it out for future or on-purpose contexts.
🖊️ Practice Quiz
Q1. 「彼は___英語の先生だった。」(he was originally an English teacher)
(A) もともと (B) そろそろ (C) わざと (D) せっかく
Q2. 「ダメで___、応募してみる。」(nothing to lose, let's apply)
(A) もともと (B) もっとも (C) もしかして (D) もうすぐ
Q3. What does 「もともと体が弱い」 mean?
(A) Physically weak from birth / by nature
(B) Became weak recently
(C) Will become weak
(D) Very strong
Q4. What does 「もともと」 mean?
(A) Originally / by nature / from the start
(B) Occasionally
(C) On purpose
(D) Right away
Q5. Which usage is natural?
(A) この道はもともと畑だった。 (B) もともと明日来る（future）。
(C) もともと、すぐ行く。 (D) もともと故意に壊した。
Answer Key
1. (A) もともと ── originally an English teacher.
2. (A) もともと ── 「ダメでもともと」 is a set idiom.
3. (A) ── weak by nature / from birth.
4. (A) ── originally / by nature.
5. (A) ── states an original fact; (B)(C)(D) clash with “originally.”