究竟
exactly; on earth (presses for the real answer; the written twin of 到底)
Structure
主语 + 究竟 + 问题 ？ · 究竟 + 谁／什么 …… ？
What it means
“Exactly”, “on earth”: sits inside a question and pushes for the real answer, often when you are puzzled or have waited long enough. The written twin of 到底.
How it is built
Subject + 究竟 + question: 你究竟想去哪儿？ (Where exactly do you want to go?) Or before 为什么／怎么, or in front of a question word that is the subject: 究竟谁说得对？
When to use it
Same meaning as 到底 (h3-21), but more formal and common in writing; in everyday talk people mostly say 到底. It needs a real question with a question word or A不A.
Watch out
Never use it in a 吗 question: ✗ 你究竟去吗？ ✓ 你究竟去不去？
Examples
你究竟想去哪儿？
Where exactly do you want to go?
人口究竟为什么会下降？
Why exactly is the population falling?
究竟谁说得对？我们去问问老师吧。
So who is actually right? Let’s go and ask the teacher.
你究竟去不去？快点儿决定吧！
Are you going or not? Make up your mind!
Learn this in HSK 4 · Lesson 28: 胡焕庸线 (Where China lives)
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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