说到底

說到底

shuōdàodǐ

phrase HSK 7 #11,537

Meanings

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

Characters

to say; to speak

to reach; to arrive

Literally 'talk to the bottom' — getting to the root of the matter

Examples

说到底，这还是钱的问题。

Shuōdàodǐ, zhè háishì qián de wèntí.

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

说到底，他只是个孩子。

Shuōdàodǐ, tā zhǐshì gè háizi.

When all is said and done, he's just a child.

Tips

usage

说到底 is typically placed at the beginning of a clause to introduce the essential truth or root cause. Similar to 归根结底 (guīgēnjiédǐ) but more conversational.

Stroke Order

说 shuō

到 dào

底 dǐ