元通り

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: Spelling: 元通り. Reading: もとどおり. Core meaning: back to normal; as before.
• Basic usage: Representative examples: 修理した時計は元通り動くようになった / 使った道具を棚へ元通りに戻した.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• State and adverbial form
  • 元通り動く means functioning as before, while 元通りに戻す means returning something to its original place or state. With に, the expression adverbially describes the manner or result of restoration.