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说到底 (shuō dào dǐ) — in the final analysis; at bottom; when all is said and done

Definition

A discourse connector used to introduce the most basic or essential point in an argument — English 'when all is said and done' or 'in the final analysis'. Often pairs with 还是 to sum up the real reason.

verb
in the final analysisat bottomwhen all is said and done

Examples

  • 说到底，。
    shuō dào dǐ, Jiā tíng zuì zhòng yào.
    When all is said and done, family is the most important.
  • 说到底，。
    shuō dào dǐ, Hái shì qián de wèn tí.
    In the final analysis, it's still a money problem.
  • 说到底，。
    Zhè jiàn shì shuō dào dǐ, zé rèn zài wǒ men.
    When it comes down to it, the responsibility is ours.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
补充bǔchōngVerb + complement

An action followed by its result or direction.

说shuōspeak
到底reach bottom
到dàoreach底dǐbottom
动宾Verb + object

说到底 pairs 说 (speak) with 到底 (to the bottom), so the saying reaches the bottom.

Characters in this word

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

This origin belongs to the traditional form 說; 说 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
言言yán
Sound part声符shēngfú
兌
兌duì說shuō
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 說 pairs 言 (meaning) with 兌 (sound); the simplified 说 is not the form described here.

Open 说 →

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
至至zhìto arrive
Sound part声符shēngfú
刀
刀dāo到dào
Same sound today

到 combines 至, meaning 'to arrive', with 刀 as the sound part. The 至 part points to the idea of reaching a stopping point.

Open 到 →

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 →
Appears in
Idioms & Set Phrases

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