到底

• 拼音: dào dǐ
• 汉字拆解: 到 (arrive at) + 底 (bottom/end)

含义

After all; in the end; exactly; on earth. Used to emphasise a question or express the ultimate outcome of a situation.

In questions, 到底 adds emphasis and urgency, similar to 'on earth' or 'exactly' in English. In statements, it can mean 'in the end' or 'ultimately.' Very common in everyday speech to press for a clear answer.

例句

1. 你到底想吃什么？快点决定吧。
2. 这件事到底是怎么回事？
3. 他到底还是决定留在北京工作。

用法指南

语境: questions, emphasis, everyday

语气: emphatic

正确说法

• 你到底去不去？(Are you going or not?)
• 到底谁说的对？(Who is right after all?)

错误说法

• 到底很好吃 (Don't use 到底 as a simple intensifier meaning 'very' — it is used for emphasis in questions or to express finality)

起源与历史

Compound of 到 (arrive at) and 底 (bottom), literally 'reach the bottom,' meaning to get to the root or final truth of something.

文化背景

世代: All ages

社会背景: Universal