究竟 (jiūjìng) – exactly, after all (in questions)

Pattern

• Subject + 究竟 + 疑问代词 + ……？
• 究竟 + A + 还是 + B？

Usage

• An adverb used in questions with a question word or a choice (A 还是 B), pressing to get to the bottom of things; slightly formal in tone.

Examples

1. 1

   究竟哪个季节去丽江旅游比较好？

   Jiūjìng nǎge jìjié qù Lìjiāng lǚyóu bǐjiào hǎo?

   Which season exactly is best for a trip to Lijiang?

2. 2

   你究竟想去北京还是上海？

   Nǐ jiūjìng xiǎng qù Běijīng háishi Shànghǎi?

   So do you want to go to Beijing or Shanghai, after all?