归根到底

歸根到底

guīgēn-dàodǐ

idiom HSK 7-9 #25,676

Meanings

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

Characters

Return to the root and reach the bottom = ultimately.

Examples

HSK 2

归根到底，还是钱的问题。

Guīgēn-dàodǐ, háishì qián de wèntí.

At the end of the day, it's still a money problem.

HSK 5

归根到底，他们的失败是因为缺乏准备。

Guīgēn-dàodǐ, tāmen de shībài shì yīnwèi quēfá zhǔnbèi.

In the final analysis, their failure was due to lack of preparation.

HSK 7-9

问题归根到底在于管理不善。

Wèntí guīgēn-dàodǐ zàiyú guǎnlǐ búshàn.

The problem, when all is said and done, lies in poor management.

Tips

memory

归 (return) + 根 (root) + 到 (to) + 底 (bottom) = return to the root and get to the bottom of it.

usage

Also appears as 归根结底 (guīgēnjiédǐ). Both forms are equally common and interchangeable.

Stroke Order

归 guī

根 gēn

到 dào

底 dǐ