抑(そもそも)in the first place, to begin with, from the start, originally, ab initio, ... the heck (e.g. 'what the heck?'), ... in the world (e.g. 'why in the world?'), ... on earth (e.g. 'who on earth?'), beginning, start

目的(もくてき)がそもそも違(ちが)う二人(ふたり)が協力(きょうりょく)するのは難(むずか)しい。

It's difficult for two people with different goals to cooperate in the first place. {in the first place, to begin with, from the start, originally, ab initio, ... the heck (e.g. 'what the heck?'), ... in the world (e.g. 'why in the world?'), ... on earth (e.g. 'who on earth?'), beginning, start}

そもそも人間(にんげん)というのは助(たす)け合(あ)って生(い)きるものである。

To begin with, humans are beings who live by helping each other. {in the first place, to begin with, from the start, originally, ab initio, ... the heck (e.g. 'what the heck?'), ... in the world (e.g. 'why in the world?'), ... on earth (e.g. 'who on earth?'), beginning, start}

父(ちち)：「お前(まえ)の結婚(けっこん)には抑(そもそも)反対(はんたい)だったよ。婚約(こんやく)破棄(はき)、賛成(さんせい)さ。」

Father: "I was originally against your marriage. I agree with calling off the engagement." {in the first place, to begin with, from the start, originally, ab initio, ... the heck (e.g. 'what the heck?'), ... in the world (e.g. 'why in the world?'), ... on earth (e.g. 'who on earth?'), beginning, start}

小説(しょうせつ)：「約束(やくそく)を破(やぶ)った…それがそもそもの紛争(ふんそう)の始(はじ)まりだったのである。」

Novel: "Breaking the promise... that was, to begin with, the start of the conflict." {in the first place, to begin with, from the start, originally, ab initio, ... the heck (e.g. 'what the heck?'), ... in the world (e.g. 'why in the world?'), ... on earth (e.g. 'who on earth?'), beginning, start}

プレゼンター：「そもそもこの企画(きかく)に関(かん)する問題(もんだい)がどこにあるかを述(の)べますと…。」

Presenter: "To begin with, I will explain where the problems lie in relation to this project..." {in the first place, to begin with, from the start, originally, ab initio, ... the heck (e.g. 'what the heck?'), ... in the world (e.g. 'why in the world?'), ... on earth (e.g. 'who on earth?'), beginning, start}