到底
on earth, exactly (presses for a real answer)
Structure
主语 + 到底 + 问题 ？ · 到底 + 谁／什么 …… ？
What it means
In a question, “on earth, exactly”: you have asked or wondered before and now want a real answer, often impatiently.
How it is built
Subject + 到底 + a question-word or A 不 A question: 你到底想说什么？ (What on earth are you trying to say?). If the question word is the subject, 到底 goes first: 到底谁去？
When to use it
Use it to press for a clear answer: 你明天到底来不来？ In a statement it means “in the end, after all”: 他到底还是来了 (He came after all).
Watch out
Never in a 吗 question: ✗ 你到底来吗？ ✓ 你到底来不来？ And ✗ 谁到底去？ ✓ 到底谁去？
Examples
你到底想说什么？
What on earth are you trying to say?
这些碗到底是谁的？
Whose are these bowls, exactly?
你明天到底来不来？
Are you coming tomorrow or not?
到底谁说得对？
So who’s actually right?
Learn this in HSK 3 · Lesson 21: 吵架 (An argument)
A dialogue, a reading, word cards with audio and a drill that uses it, in Learn Chinese with Bao. The first lessons of every level are free.
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