归根结底

歸根結底

guīgēnjiédǐ

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。

Guī gēn jié dǐ, 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 guī gēn jié dǐ shì yī gè 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