Even as in “is there even”

Question

There are a lot of ways to expres the English word “even”, but I am not sure which one to use in the meaning of:

• What’s this? Is it even food?
• Is there even a way get out of here?
• Does such a person even exist?

It looks like neither も or さえ fit here as they correspond to a different “even”. I can only come up with plain unflavored sentences that don’t include the intended, slightly sarcastic doubt.

• 食物ですか。
• ここを出る方法がありますか。
• そんな人がいますか。

How can I change those to inject this meaning?

Answer 1

I think the adverb そもそも is the word you are looking for. You can use this both in informal and formal situations.

• これは何？　そもそも食べ物なの？
• そもそもここを出る方法はあるのですか？
• そもそもそんな人間はいるのだろうか。