究竟

jiū jìng

HSK 2.0 Level 4 HSK 3.0 Level 4 Adverb Common

Definitions

1. to go to the bottom of a matter
2. after all
3. when all is said and done
4. (in an interrogative sentence) finally
5. outcome
6. result

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Word relationships

Related words

1 item

毕竟

bì jìng

after all

Means 'after all' but is used to state a reason or fact, while 究竟 can be used in questions.

Synonyms

1 item

到底

dào dǐ

finally

Used similarly to express 'after all' or to intensify a question, but 究竟 is more formal.

Usage notes

Common mistakes

Do not use 究竟 in statements where 毕竟 is needed: 究竟 is for probing questions or emphasis, not for stating a known reason.

Formality

究竟 is more formal than 到底 and is often used in written or formal speech.

Grammar

Guides that feature 究竟

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1 guide

HSK 2.0 Level 4+ HSK 3.0 Level 4+ 6 min

竟然, 究竟 and 到底 for Surprise and “What on Earth?”

Use 竟然 for something surprising that really happened, and 究竟 or 到底 to press for the real answer in a question.

Reading: jiū jìng Open guide

Example Sentences

1 shown

你究竟为什么不来？

Why on earth didn't you come?

AI-generated examples are marked with this icon.

Words Containing 究竟

一探究竟

yī tàn jiū jìng

to check out

Child Words of 究竟

unexpectedly