根本 gēnběn fundamental
fundamental; basic; root; simply; absolutely (not); (not) at all
How to remember 根本: 根 measure word for long, thin things + 本 source = fundamental.
Characters
How it is used
- Two jobs: as a noun/adj it's the root/fundamental - 根本问题 (gēnběn wèntí) the fundamental problem; 从根本上 (cóng gēnběn shàng) fundamentally.
- As an emphatic adverb with a negative it means '(not) at all' - 我根本不知道 (wǒ gēnběn bù zhīdào) I had no idea whatsoever.
- Trap: this negative-emphasis use nearly always pairs with 不/没; 根本没听说过 = never even heard of it.
Example sentences
- 我根本不累。 Wǒ gēnběn bú lèi.I'm not at all tired.
- 我根本不信。 Wǒ gēnběn bú xìn.I don't believe it at all.
- 他根本就没有学习。 Tā gēnběn jiù méiyǒu xuéxí.He didn't study at all.