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根本 (gēnběn) vs 到底 (dàodǐ): “at all” vs “after all” in Chinese

根本 (gēnběn): at all (negatives), fundamental / 到底 (dàodǐ): after all, finally

Comparing "根本 (gēnběn)" and "到底 (dàodǐ)"

HSK 6Adverbs

Rule structure

根本 (gēnběn) means "fundamental" or with negatives "at all". 到底 (dàodǐ) in questions means "on earth, after all"; in statements means "finally".

Examples

我根本不知道。 / 你到底想怎样？

Wǒ gēnběn bù zhīdào. / Nǐ dàodǐ xiǎng zěnyàng?

I didn’t know at all. / What do you really want?

Practice

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Frequently asked questions

How do you express “Comparing "根本 (gēnběn)" and "到底 (dàodǐ)"” in Chinese?

Use the structure: 根本 (gēnběn): at all (negatives), fundamental / 到底 (dàodǐ): after all, finally. For example: 我根本不知道。 / 你到底想怎样？ — “I didn’t know at all. / What do you really want?”.

What is an example sentence with this grammar rule?

我根本不知道。 / 你到底想怎样？ — “I didn’t know at all. / What do you really want?”.

Which HSK level includes this grammar rule?

This grammar rule is part of HSK 6.

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More HSK 6 grammar rules

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恢复 (huīfù): restore (state, function) / 还原 (huányuán): restore to original state

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居然 (jūrán): unexpectedly (surprise) / 反而 (fǎn'ér): on the contrary

Expressing "no matter how" with "再 (zài) … 也 (yě) …"

再 (zài) + Adj., 也 (yě) + Result

Expressing rhetorical "why bother" with "何必 (hébì)"

何必 (hébì) + Verb Phrase (rhetorical, unnecessary)

Comparing "不断 (bùduàn)" and "不停 (bùtíng)"

不断 (bùduàn) + Verb (continuous, unceasing) / 不停 (bùtíng) + Verb (incessant, nonstop)

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按照 (ànzhào) + Rule / Standard (follow) / 根据 (gēnjù) + Basis / Source (based on)