What does 元より mean?
元より is a Japanese adverb meaning “from the beginning; from the first; all along; originally” in English. It can also be translated as “of course, not to mention ...” depending on context. It is written as 元より in kanji, もとより in hiragana, and motoyori in romaji. This word is part of JLPT N1 vocabulary.
Example sentences
もとより私は最悪の事態を覚悟していた。
From the outset I was prepared for the worst.
もとよりそんなことは承知の上だ。
Of course I am aware of that.
低賃金、劣悪な労働条件、一方的な首切りなどの経済・労働問題はもとより、各種の人道的問題までも引き起こしている。
Of course, they are suffering from terrible working conditions such as low wages and arbitrary layoffs, as well as from various forms of discrimination.