归根到底
HSK 6- Emphasis
Structure (结构 jiégòu)
Meaning (意思 yìsi)
Used to emphasize the ultimate conclusion or most fundamental cause after considering all aspects.
Explanation (解释 jiěshì)
This is a chengyu (成语) meaning "when all is said and done," "at the end of the day," or "ultimately/fundamentally." 归根到底 is used to identify the deep-rooted cause or core nature of an issue after thorough analysis and repeated examination. It typically appears at the beginning of a sentence or clause to emphasize a final conclusion, setting aside superficial factors.
Examples (例句 lìjù)(5)
- 这个项目失败了，归根到底是因为资金不足。繁: 這個項目失敗了，歸根到底是因為資金不足。Zhège xiàngmù shībài le, guīgēn dàodǐ shì yīnwèi zījīn bùzú.
This project failed, ultimately because of insufficient funding.
- 教育问题，归根到底，是人的问题。繁: 教育問題，歸根到底，是人的問題。Jiàoyù wèntí, guīgēn dàodǐ, shì rén de wèntí.
Education problems, when you get down to it, are fundamentally problems of people.
- 他们俩分手，归根到底是个性不合。繁: 他們倆分手，歸根到底是個性不合。Tāmen liǎ fēnshǒu, guīgēn dàodǐ shì gèxìng bùhé.
The two of them broke up, and fundamentally it was due to incompatible personalities.
- 我们说的所有话，归根到底都是为了你好。繁: 我們說的所有話，歸根到底都是為了你好。Wǒmen shuō de suǒyǒu huà, guīgēn dàodǐ dōu shì wèile nǐ hǎo.
Everything we say, ultimately, is for your own good.
- 不管方法有多少，归根到底还是要努力。繁: 不管方法有多少，歸根到底還是要努力。Bùguǎn fāngfǎ yǒu duōshǎo, guīgēn dàodǐ háishì yào nǔlì.
No matter how many methods there are, in the end you still have to work hard.
Common mistakes
- Wrong:这个问题是归根到底很难。Correct:这个问题归根到底很难。
归根到底 is an adverbial modifier that must appear before the predicate (difficult) or at the beginning of the sentence; it cannot be inserted between "是" and the predicate.