刨根问底

刨根問底

páogēn-wèndǐ

idiom #24,126

Meanings

1 to get to the root of the matter
2 to dig deep for the truth
3 to get to the bottom of something

Characters

to dig; to scratch out; to plane (wood)

root; base; origin

to ask; to question

bottom; base; end

Examples

HSK 3

别刨根问底了，有些事情不需要知道那么清楚。

Bié páogēn-wèndǐ le, yǒuxiē shìqing bù xūyào zhīdào nàme qīngchu.

Stop digging so deep, some things don't need to be that clear.

HSK 5

他做事喜欢刨根问底，弄清楚每一个细节。

Tā zuòshì xǐhuan páogēn-wèndǐ, nòng qīngchu měi yī gè xìjié.

He likes to get to the root of things and clarify every detail.

Tips

memory

刨 (to dig up) + 根 (root) + 问 (to ask) + 底 (bottom), literally 'dig up the root and ask about the bottom.' A vivid image of someone relentlessly excavating the truth.

Stroke Order

刨 páo

根 gēn

问 wèn

底 dǐ