究竟
HSK 5- Emphasis
Structure (结构 jiégòu)
Meaning (意思 yìsi)
Adverb 究竟 is used in questions for emphasis, seeking a definitive answer; it means 'in the end' or 'after all'.
Explanation (解释 jiěshì)
究竟 (jiūjìng) is an adverb used in questions to probe or press for a definitive answer or the true nature of a matter. It conveys doubt, uncertainty, or a desire to get to the truth. It is translated into English as "after all," "in the end," "exactly," or "on earth" (e.g., *what on earth…*).
It commonly appears alongside interrogative pronouns such as 谁, 什么, 哪儿, 为什么, and 怎么. Note that 究竟 is used only in questions, not in declarative sentences.
Examples (例句 lìjù)(5)
- 你究竟想说什么？繁: 你究竟想說什麼？Nǐ jiūjìng xiǎng shuō shénme?
What exactly do you want to say?
- 问题究竟出在哪儿？繁: 問題究竟出在哪兒？Wèntí jiūjìng chū zài nǎr?
Where exactly does the problem lie?
- 他究竟是谁？繁: 他究竟是誰？Tā jiūjìng shì shéi?
Who on earth is he?
- 这件事究竟是怎么回事？繁: 這件事究竟是怎麼回事？Zhè jiàn shì jiūjìng shì zěnme huí shì?
What exactly is going on with this matter?
- 你们究竟去还是不去？繁: 你們究竟去還是不去？Nǐmen jiūjìng qù háishì bù qù?
Are you going or not?
Common mistakes
- Wrong:我究竟知道他是个好人。Correct:他究竟是不是个好人？
究竟 is only used in interrogative sentences for inquiry; it is not used in declarative or affirmative sentences.
- Wrong:我们究竟成功了。Correct:我们终于成功了。
终于 is used to express the result "finally..." after a process; 究竟 is used to ask "what exactly..." or "in the end...".