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AdverbsHSK 6

Comparing 根本 and 到底

根本 means 'at all' or 'simply', used with negations like 不 or 没 to emphasize absolute negation. 到底 means 'after all' or 'on earth', used in questions or to express 'finally concluded that'. They are not interchangeable.

Structure

根本 + 不 / 没 + Verb/Adj.
means 'at all' or 'simply', emphasizing absolute negation
到底 + Question ?
means 'after all' or 'on earth', used in questions for emphasis

Examples

  • 他根本不知道这件事。
    Tā gēnběn bù zhīdào zhè jiàn shì.
    He doesn't know this at all.
  • 你到底想要什么？
    Nǐ dàodǐ xiǎng yào shénme?
    What on earth do you want?
  • 我想了很久，到底决定了。
    Wǒ xiǎng le hěn jiǔ, dàodǐ juédìng le.
    I thought for a long time, and finally decided.

Words that use this