归根结底

歸根結底

guīgēn-jiédǐ

idiom #23,178

Meanings

1 in the final analysis
2 ultimately
3 when all is said and done
4 at the end of the day

Characters

to return; to go back to

to tie; to conclude

bottom; base; end

Examples

归根结底，成功需要努力和坚持。

Guīgēnjiédǐ, chénggōng xūyào nǔlì hé jiānchí.

In the final analysis, success requires effort and perseverance.

这个问题归根结底是一个资金问题。

Zhège wèntí guīgēnjiédǐ shì yīgè zījīn wèntí.

This problem is ultimately a question of funding.

Tips

memory

归根结底 literally means to return (归) to the root (根) and tie up (结) the bottom (底) — trace everything back to its root and wrap it up at the base. A vivid image for reaching a fundamental conclusion.

Stroke Order

归 guī

根 gēn

结 jié

底 dǐ