Definition
究竟 is used in questions to mean 'exactly, on earth' (more formal and emphatic than 到底), and in statements to mean 'after all, ultimately' (often introducing the final fact or reason). Unlike 毕竟 (which stresses a fundamental fact) or 终究 (which suggests inevitability), 究竟 can also function as a noun meaning 'the ins and outs'.
(used in questions to emphasize a direct inquiry) actuallyexactly(used in statements to emphasize a final conclusion) after allin the end(noun, usually in the pattern 的) the ins and outsthe whole story
Easily confused
- 酒精jiǔ jīngsound-alikealcohol
Examples
- 究竟？Nǐ jiū jìng shì nǎlǐ rén?Where exactly are you from?
- ，究竟。Suīrán tiānqì bù hǎo, dàn jiū jìng tā háishì lái le.Although the weather was bad, he came after all.
- 究竟。Wǒ bù qīngchu shìqíng de jiū jìng.I'm not clear about the ins and outs of the matter.
Grammar
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