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

adverb (fukushi) noun (common) (futsuumeishi) word usually written using kana alone

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

conjunction word usually written using kana alone

3. beginning, start

noun (common) (futsuumeishi) nouns which may take the genitive case particle 'no' word usually written using kana alone