究竟 (jiū jìng) — (used in questions to emphasize a direct inquiry) actually, exactly; (used in statements to emphasize a final conclusion) after all, in the end; (noun, usually in the pattern 的) the ins and outs, the whole story
Definition
究竟 does two jobs: in questions it pushes for a direct answer like 到底 ('Where exactly…?'); in statements it means 'after all, in the end' — softer and more reflective than 终于, which marks the moment something finally happens.
(used in questions to emphasize a direct inquiry) actuallyexactly(used in statements to emphasize a final conclusion) after allin the end(noun, usually in the pattern 的) the ins and outsthe whole story
Examples
- 究竟？Nǐ jiū jìng shì nǎ lǐ rén?Where exactly are you from?
- ，究竟。Suī rán tiān qì bù hǎo, dàn jiū jìng tā hái shì lái le.Although the weather was bad, he came after all.
- 究竟。Wǒ bù qīng chǔ shì qing de jiū jìng.I'm not clear about the ins and outs of the matter.
Grammar
Appears in
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