寻根究底 (xún gēn jiū dǐ) — to get to the bottom of things; to probe deeply into; to inquire thoroughly

Definition

A formal chengyu meaning to get to the bottom of something — to trace causes and dig into every detail rather than accept a surface answer. Stronger than just 问 (to ask): it implies thorough, persistent investigation.

idiom
to get to the bottom of thingsto probe deeply intoto inquire thoroughly

Examples

  • 寻根究底。
    Zhè ge kē xué jiā xǐ huan duì wèn tí xún gēn jiū dǐ.
    This scientist likes to get to the bottom of problems.
  • 寻根究底，。
    Zhēn tàn zǒng shì xún gēn jiū dǐ, bú fàng guò rèn hé xì jié.
    The detective always probes deeply, never missing any detail.
  • ，寻根究底。
    Tā wèn le hěn duō wèn tí, fēi yào xún gēn jiū dǐ bù kě.
    He asked many questions, insisting on getting to the bottom of it.

Origin

Characters in this word

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

寻 is formed from 又 (hand) and 寸 (hand).

Open 寻 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
木木mù
Sound part声符shēngfú
艮
艮gèn根gēn(r)
Same sound today

根 pairs 木 (tree/wood), pointing to plant roots, with 艮 as a sound part.

Open 根 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
穴穴xuécave
Sound part声符shēngfú
九
九jiǔ究jiū
Same sound today

究 pairs 穴, a cave, with 九, which gives the sound.

Open 究 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
广广guǎngbuilding
Sound part声符shēngfú
氐
氐dī底dǐ
Same sound today

底 pairs 广 (building) with 氐, pointing to the bottom or foundation of a building. Some read 氐 as a bowing figure or tree root, adding a sense of 'down'.

Open 底 →

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