adverb HSK 4
after all · in the end · finally · 究竟 (used in questions for emphasis)
Meaning
到底 has two main uses: (1) As a question word, it emphasizes the speaker's desire to get to the bottom of something, often expressing impatience or insistence—'究竟 what exactly is going on?' (2) In statements, it means 'in the end' or 'after all,' indicating a final result or an inherent quality that proves true.
Usage
In questions, 到底 makes the tone more emphatic and sometimes slightly impatient, like demanding a clear answer. In statements, it emphasizes finality or inevitability. Very common in both spoken and written Chinese. Often paired with question words like 是什么, 怎么, or 为什么 in interrogative sentences.
Examples
- 01你到底想说什么？?What exactly do you want to say?
- 02他到底还是去了中国。.In the end, he still went to China.
Characters
Common collocations
- 到底是什么what exactly is it
- 到底怎么了what on earth happened
- 你到底要不要do you want it or not (emphatic)
- 到底还是in the end, still
Origin
Literally means 'reach the bottom,' metaphorically extended to mean getting to the bottom of a matter or reaching a final conclusion.