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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

根本 (gēn běn) vs 到底 (dào dǐ) — at all vs after all

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 say “at all vs after all” in Chinese with 根本 vs 到底?

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

无非 — nothing but

无非 (wúfēi) + Noun / Clause (dismissive)

凡是 — all, every

凡是 (fánshì) + Noun Phrase, 都 (dōu) + Verb

恢复 vs 还原 — restore vs return to original

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

居然 vs 反而 — unexpected vs on the contrary

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

再…也 — no matter how

再 (zài) + Adj., 也 (yě) + Result

何必 — why bother

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

不断 vs 不停 — continuous vs nonstop

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

按照 vs 根据 — according to vs based on

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