Chinese word

说到底

Pronunciation

Pinyinshuō dào dǐ

Meaning

  • adverbin the end

Example

说到底，他还是个孩子。shuō dào dǐ tā hái shì gè hái zi

In the end, he is still a child.

Illustration for 说到底 (in the end)

More examples

这件事说到底就是个误会。zhè jiàn shì shuō dào dǐ jiù shì gè wù huì

In the end, this matter is simply a misunderstanding.

Core concept

A way of stripping away side details until the main judgment stands clear.

Common phrases

  • 说到底就是shuō dào dǐ jiù shì

    in the end is simply

  • 说到底并不是shuō dào dǐ bìng bú shì

    in the end is not

Similar words

到底dào dǐ: Calls attention to the ultimate outcome or underlying truth.
总之zǒng zhī: Condenses several matters into a simple summary or conclusion.
毕竟bì jìng: Highlights a conclusion that follows from what is already known about the situation.

Definition in Chinese

多用于口语，表示把前面的情况归纳为某种核心结论或评价，带有一定的强调意味。duō yòng yú kóu yǔ biǎo shì bǎ qián miàn de qíng kuàng guī nà wèi móu zhǒng hé xīn jié lùn huò píng jià dài yǒu yí dìng de qiáng diào yì wèi

Word origin

说到底 (shuōdàodǐ, "speaking to the bottom") combines 说 (shuō, "speak") + 到 (dào, "reach") + 底 (dǐ, "bottom") to present the conclusion reached after considering the matter fully.

Usage tips

  • It often follows several reasons or observations and signals a summary or evaluation, rather than simply marking the time of a final event.

Other meanings

  • in shortadverb
  • after alladverb

Opposites

Word lists with this word