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Expressing "in the end" with 到底 ("dao4di3")

到底 dàodǐ

Adverb
HSK 4

Structure

到底 ⋯⋯ ，Reason / Characteristic 到底 + Question Word 到底 + Verb ＋ 不 / 没 ＋ Verb 到底 ＋ Verb ＋ 了

Definition

表示经过变化或争论后最终发生或得出结论，常用于疑问句或反问句，加强语气。

Indicates the final outcome after changes or debates, often used in questions or rhetorical questions to emphasize the tone.

Usage

常用于疑问句或反问句，放在动词或形容词前，表示追问到底怎么样，或表示最终结果。也可以单独使用，表示底线或极限。

Often used in questions or rhetorical questions, placed before verbs or adjectives to ask about the final situation or to indicate the ultimate result. Can also be used alone to mean 'at last' or 'in the end'.

Examples

  • 1 你到底去不去？(Are you going or not in the end?)
  • 2 他到底还是来了。(He came after all.)
  • 3 这件事到底是怎么回事？(What on earth is going on with this matter?)
  • 4 你到底想说什么？(What exactly do you want to say?)
  • 5 他到底还是承认了错误。(He finally admitted his mistake.)
  • 6 你到底行不行？(Can you do it or not?)
  • 7 经过多次讨论，到底达成了协议。(After many discussions, an agreement was finally reached.)

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