HSK 4 · VERSION 2.0#18
Expressing “In the End” with “jiūjìng”
究竟
How it works
究竟 (jiūjìng) is similar to 到底 (dàodǐ) and often means:
exactly
after all
what exactly
in the end
It is commonly used in questions, especially when the speaker wants to know the truth or the real reason. Compared with 到底 (dàodǐ), 究竟 (jiūjìng) often sounds slightly more formal or written.
The pattern
究竟 (jiūjìng) + Question Word / Clause
Example sentences
你究竟为什么不高兴？
Why exactly are you unhappy?
这件事究竟是怎么回事？
What exactly is going on with this matter?
我也不知道他究竟去哪儿了。
I also do not know where exactly he went.
Key point
Both 到底 (dàodǐ) and 究竟 (jiūjìng) can be translated as “exactly / after all / on earth.”
In many questions, they are similar, but:
到底 (dàodǐ) is more common in spoken Chinese and can sound more emotional
究竟 (jiūjìng) often sounds a little more formal and thoughtful