HSK 7–9 grammar · pattern
归根到底
归根到底 — in the final analysis
Pattern
( ) can be left out · other words may come before, between and after
How it works
归根到底 strips a matter back to its root cause before delivering the speaker's verdict: "when it comes down to it". It introduces a conclusion, so it belongs near the end of an argument.
Examples
归根到底，还是准备得不够。
Guīgēndàodǐ, háishi zhǔnbèi de bú gòu.
In the final analysis, we simply weren't prepared enough.
归根到底，这是钱的问题。
Guīgēndàodǐ, zhè shì qián de wèntí.
When it comes down to it, this is a question of money.
Related
总的来说/总而言之 · 总的来说／总而言之 — in general, in short综上所述 · 综上所述 — to sum up the above终究 · 终究 — in the end, after all
See it in a story
In the app, 归根到底 is underlined wherever it appears in the stories you read, and practised with sentences from them. Free.