Usage Note
Originalmente means 'in the beginning; at first; as first conceived' and often signals a contrast with how something turned out. It is a cognate of English 'originally' and rarely misleads learners. It is more formal than al principio ('at the beginning') and emphasises the original design or state rather than mere temporal sequence.
Examples
"El edificio fue originalmente una fábrica."
Natural Translation
The building was originally a factory.

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