indeed; exactly; the whole story
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
3 senses · 6 examplesadverb
indeed; truly; as expected
archaicUsed to confirm that something is exactly as rumored or anticipated. Primarily found in early vernacular literature.
Wǔ武
Sōng松
dú读
le了
yìn印
xìn信
bǎng榜
wén文
，
fāng方
zhī知
duān端
dì的
yǒu有
hǔ虎
。
Only after reading the official proclamation did Wu Song realize there was indeed a tiger.
Zhòng众
rén人
shàng上
qián前
yī一
kàn看
，
duān端
dì的
shì是
yī一
kuài块
xī稀
shì世
bǎo宝
yù玉
。
Everyone stepped forward for a look, and it was truly a rare and precious jade.
adverb
after all; in the end; exactly what/who
archaicUsed in questions to inquire about the true nature or identity of someone or something. Found in early vernacular literature.
Zhè这
rén人
duān端
dì的
shì是
shuí谁
？
Who is this person, after all?
Nǐ你
duān端
dì的
wèi为
hé何
dào到
cǐ此
？
Exactly why have you come here?
noun
the whole story; the actual details; the bottom of a matter
archaicRefers to the full details or the truth behind an event. Primarily found in early vernacular literature.
Wǒ我
yī一
wèn问
qǐ起
，
fāng方
zhī知
duān端
dì的
。
Only after I asked did I learn the whole story.
Cǐ此
shì事
wài外
rén人
bù不
zhī知
duān端
dì的
。
Outsiders do not know the actual details of this matter.