In our few latest posts, we’ve taken a closer look at some new Chinese vocabulary. We’ve learned to build sentences with the word 压力; to use the verb 熟悉; to emphasize contrast with the conjunction 即使; and learned about different uses of the character 老.

Today we’ll enrich our Chinese with the useful adverb 究竟 (jiùjìng).

究竟(jiùjìng) is an adverb, meaning “after all”, or “actually”. As an adverb its usages are sometimes more ambiguous than that of a noun, verb or adjective, so understanding the context is important. 究竟 functions the same in a statement or a question, but stresses a different aspect in each.

 

Used in a question:

究竟intensifies the question and gives emphasis to the interrogative tone. It means “actually”, or “exactly”, and it’s used to press for an exact answer. The Chinese definition of 究竟 in a question says: 用在问句里表示追究 (yòng zài wèn jù lǐ biǎoshì zhuījiù). Meaning: in a question, 究竟 is used to investigate. For example:

你们究竟要什么？

Nǐmen jiùjìng yào shénme?

What exactly do you want?

他究竟把你怎么了？

Tā jiùjìng bǎ nǐ zěnmeliǎo?

What exactly did he do to you?

这究竟是什么意思？

Zhè jiùjìng shì shénme yìsi?

Whatever does this mean?

明天的会究竟谁去参加?

Míngtiān de huì jiùjìng shéi qù cānjiā?

Who is actually going to the meeting tomorrow?

 

Used in a statement:

In a statement, 究竟 is used for pointing out the already known. It doesn’t reveal any new information, but accentuates the already acknowledged matter. It means “after all”, and is similar in its meaning to other adverbs, such as: 到底 (dàodǐ, meaning “after all”) and 毕竟 (bìjìng, meaning “actually”). For example:

他究竟是个孩子，原谅他吧。

Tā jiùjìng shìgè háizi, yuánliàng tā ba.

Please forgive me, after all, he is still a child.

他究竟是你弟弟。

Tā jiùjìng shì nǐ dìdì.

He is your younger brother, after all.

他究竟经验非富，让他负责这项工作最合适。

Tā jiùjìng jīngyàn fēi fù, ràng tā fùzé zhè xiàng gōngzuò zuì héshì.

After all, he is very experienced, so it is only suitable to put him in charge of the job.

他究竟是受过高等教育的人，说话很有礼貌。

Tā jiùjìng shì shòuguò gāoděng jiàoyù de rén, shuōhuà hěn yǒu lǐmào.

No wonder she speaks very politely, she is a highly educated person, after all.

 

When struggling to speak in a new language, it can be hard to speak eloquently. You basically just wish to be understood, and to keep on with the conversation. Adverbs like 究竟 are cast aside in the name of fluency. It’s OK to leave this word for reading practice only at first. But my tip is to try use it when you find the right occasion. Until then keep practice, read it over and over, and try to make your own sentences with 究竟. And always remember –好好学习，天天向上！

‍‍‍‍‍‍