现代汉语语气副词“毕竟”与“究竟”的基础理论及其相关研究 1 现代汉语副词的基础理论
副词的定义
1 现代汉语副词的基础理论
1.1 现代汉语副词概述
Since the publication of "Ma's Theory of Language," the study of modern Chinese adverbs has faced challenges in defining their meaning and scope, leading to ongoing debates within grammatical research As noted by Zhang Yisheng, adverbs are among the most controversial and stylistically varied categories in the study of Chinese words While the syntactic functions of adverbs in modern Chinese are relatively straightforward, many commonly used adverbs are characterized by high frequency and diverse usages.
1.1.1 副词的定义
Adverbs, originally defined as "状子" in "Ma Shi Wen Tong," have been further defined by grammarians such as Lü Shuxiang, Zhu Dexi, Ding Shengshu, Zhang Jing, and Huang Borong In summary, adverbs modify and restrict verbs, adjectives, or entire sentences in terms of manner, degree, time, and mood They often express meanings related to extent, scope, and timing, playing a crucial role in enhancing the clarity of communication.
1.1.2 副词的分类
In modern Chinese, adverbs are one of the most debated word classes among experts and pose a significant challenge for Vietnamese learners of the language There are various opinions on the classification of adverbs, leading to different conclusions based on differing criteria Typically, grammar books categorize adverbs into those that indicate degree and those that denote time.
Adverbs can be categorized into seven types: adverbs of frequency, adverbs of degree, adverbs of manner, adverbs of certainty, adverbs of attitude, and adverbs that indicate scope Each category plays a distinct role in enhancing the meaning and clarity of sentences.
表一、汉语常用副词分类
（白晓红、赵卫：汉语虚词15讲）
1.范围副词 只、光、仅、仅仅、都、全、才、就、也、一共、总共、多
半、大致、大都、处处、统统
2.频率副词 还、再、又、也、常、常常、往往、重新、经常、通常、不
住、不断、一再、再三、接连、一连、连连、连
3.程度副词 很、太、非常、十分、特别、尤其、格外、真、相当、更、越
来越、怪、挺、几乎、异常、无比、万分、分外、稍、稍微、 略微、极、极其、最、顶
4.时间副词 刚、刚刚、早、就、才、刚才、已、已经、曾、曾经、马上、
Immediately, directly, consistently, always, previously, originally, originally, will, about to, subsequently, at that time, suddenly, promptly, soon, occasionally, on time, frequently, continually, from the beginning, never, and ultimately.
5.肯否副词 一定、的确、却是、必定、大概、恐怕、不、没、没有、别、
不用、不必、不曾、未必
6.语气副词 并、才、就、可、却、倒、反、反倒、偏、偏偏、居然、竟、
The article explores various Chinese adverbs and conjunctions that convey certainty, possibility, and contrast Words like "果然" (indeed) and "毕竟" (after all) emphasize affirmation, while "难道" (could it be) and "或许" (perhaps) introduce doubt Terms such as "恰好" (just right) and "可巧" (by chance) highlight coincidence, while "绝对" (absolutely) and "必须" (must) indicate necessity The article also discusses expressions of negation, like "决不" (never) and "毫不" (not at all), alongside phrases that imply approximation, such as "差不多" (almost) and "差点儿" (almost) Overall, these linguistic elements enrich the nuances of communication in the Chinese language.
7.情态副词 一起、一块儿、一道、一向、互相、亲自、悄悄、偷偷、暗
In the midst of darkness, it is customary to proceed as usual, remaining steadfast and unchanged Gradually, as time passes, one may feel the urgency to act quickly and take advantage of opportunities that arise Whether alone or in company, individuals often find themselves navigating through life's challenges, striving with determination and effort Intentional actions are taken with a focused mindset, as emotions can sometimes overwhelm us unexpectedly Over time, changes occur progressively, and moments can shift suddenly, leaving a lasting impact on our experiences.
1.1.3 副词的语法特征
（一）副词都能作状语
Adverbs are primarily distinguished from other parts of speech by their function as adverbials When used as adverbials, both monosyllabic and disyllabic adverbs can be positioned after the subject and before the main verb Additionally, certain disyllabic adverbs can also be placed before the subject.
例1：―最后她到了‖ 和 ―她最后到了‖。
例2：―也许她已经走到半路上‖ 和 ―难道这种产品还会受欢迎吗?‖，―已
经‖、―还‖ 修饰句中谓语，―也许‖、―难道‖ 是句首状语，修饰全句。
Certain adverbs can modify nouns or pronouns, indicating the scope of limitation for people or things There are not many adverbs used to modify the subject noun, including terms like "only," "merely," "just," "simply," and "almost."
例3：―只这几个牌子过硬，你看要哪个？‖（表示限制品牌的范围）
例4：―今天就我倒霉。‖（表示限制人的范围）
例5：―光轿车就有十几辆。‖（表示限制轿车的范围）
例6：―仅这一点理由就充分了。‖（表示限制理由的范围）
Certain adverbs can modify quantifiers to express the speaker's perspective on quantity, such as "just right," "exactly," "already," "only," "precisely," "approximately," and "merely."
例7：―做了恰好三十天‖、―用了才六个小时‖、―结婚已经十年了‖。
（二）有些副词可以作补语
程度补语 ―很‖、―极‖ 可以作补语。―很‖ 作补语，前头要加 ―得‖，如：
―好得很‖、―糟糕得很‖。―极‖ 作补语时后头要加 ―了‖，如：―伤心极了‖、―好 极了‖。
（三）多数副词不能单独使用，附着性较强
Adverbs typically cannot be used in isolation and exhibit strong attachment tendencies A study analyzing 486 commonly used adverbs revealed that only 65 of them, accounting for just 13.4%, can function independently.
（四）副词不受其他词类的修饰
副词一般不受其他词类的修饰。这是副词组合功能方面的规则。
（五）部分副词能兼有关联作用
The associative function of certain adverbs is to link verbs, adjectives, or phrases and sentences together These adverbs can be used individually or in pairs.
单用：―说了又说‖、―打不赢就走‖、―说清楚再走‖、―不去也可以‖ 等。
合用：―越忙越乱‖、―既聋又哑‖、―也好也不好‖、―非去不可‖ 等。
与连词配合使用：―不但……还‖、―只有……才‖、―除非……才‖ 等。
（六）部分单音节副词有重叠形式
Monosyllabic adverbs with overlapping forms include words like "mingming" (clearly), "changchang" (often), "jinjin" (merely), "jianjian" (gradually), "zuizui" (most), "zuzuo" (sufficiently), and "ganggang" (just) These adverbs exhibit differences in meaning and syntax compared to their monosyllabic counterparts In some instances, only the monosyllabic form or its duplicated version can be used For example, one can say "I came here in vain today," but not "I came here in vain in vain today."
1.2 汉语副词的虚实归属
The classification of adverbs in the history of Chinese grammar has been a topic of debate, primarily due to differing criteria for categorizing parts of speech When classified by meaning, adverbs are often viewed as function words because their lexical significance is not very concrete Conversely, when classified by function, adverbs can serve as sentence constituents, leading to their classification as content words This divergence in classification standards results in three main viewpoints, one of which categorizes adverbs as function words.
In traditional grammar studies, adverbs have long been classified as function words, a perspective supported by scholars such as Li Jinxie, Lü Shuxiang, Zhu Dexi, Ma Zhen, Lu Jianming, and Zhang Yisheng While they all agree on the classification of adverbs as function words, their criteria for categorization differ significantly.
现代汉语语气副词的基础理论
2.1 现代汉语语气副词概述
2.1.1 语气副词的定义
In the field of grammar, mood adverbs are typically understood as words that indicate the speaker's emotional attitude, intention, and subjective will, often positioned as adverbials These adverbs, also known as evaluative adverbs, convey abstract and ethereal meanings while presenting complex pragmatic conditions Common examples of mood adverbs include "after all," "finally," "indeed," "exactly," "simply," "probably," "perhaps," and "just."
2.1.2 语气副词的特点
Modal adverbs express the speaker's subjective feelings and perceptions, making them highly subjective in nature This characteristic often places modal adverbs at the outermost layer of sentences, allowing for flexible positioning Additionally, some modal adverbs can independently respond to questions.
Modal adverbs are placed before verbs and adjectives, serving as modifiers that limit or enhance their meaning A key characteristic of modal adverbs is their ability to modify not only verbs and adjectives but also the entire sentence.
例8：大家也许会原谅我。 或者：也许他家会原谅我。
Modal adverbs, like other adverbs, can appear after the subject, but most of them typically precede it This positioning is a key distinction between modal adverbs and other subcategories of adverbs When placed before the subject, modal adverbs modify or limit the entire sentence, providing a broader scope of influence In contrast, when they appear after the subject, their impact is more limited, primarily affecting the predicate rather than the subject itself Additionally, some modal adverbs can also be moved to the end of the sentence.
In summary, the functions of modal adverbs can be categorized as follows: they can precede verbs or adjectives, as well as appear before the subject, exhibiting a prepositional characteristic when co-occurring with other adverbs The primary role of modal adverbs is to convey the speaker's subjective attitude towards the narrative content Semantically, they can express mood or modality and may also serve a discourse connection function.
2.2 现代汉语语气副词的研究综述
As of now, modal adverbs have remained a focal point and challenge in the study of modern Chinese grammar Academic interest in modal adverbs is on the rise, with grammarians and scholars examining them from both macro and micro perspectives, leading to numerous achievements and significant advancements in the field.
In her 2008 work "A Study of Modal Adverbs in Modern Chinese," Qi Chunhong summarizes previous research on modal adverbs, highlighting Wang Li's pioneering concept of "modal adverbs" in his 1943-1944 book "Modern Chinese Grammar." Wang categorized modal adverbs into eight types based on their meanings, including dissatisfaction, light assertion, strong assertion, contradiction, surprise, generosity, pause, and rhetorical questioning, although Qi argues that this classification has a narrow scope Qi's own research employs the "two triangles" theory for a dynamic and comprehensive analysis of modal adverbs Key focuses of her study include defining the scope of modal adverbs using prototype category theory, reclassifying their meanings based on subjective expression, exploring co-occurrence patterns and sentence type compatibility, investigating their pragmatic functions from multiple dimensions, and examining monosyllabic modal adverbs expressing varying subjective quantities from both diachronic and synchronic perspectives.
In his review of the research on modal adverbs, Li Xin highlights the work of Zhang Yisheng (2000) in "Modern Chinese Adverbs," which emphasizes the importance of combining diachronic development with synchronic changes in the study of adverbs Li categorizes adverbs into three types based on their degree of abstraction: descriptive adverbs, evaluative adverbs, and restrictive adverbs He further analyzes these categories from three perspectives: distribution and combination, transmission and modality, and pragmatics and discourse.
Li Xin conducted an analysis of the functions of words and summarized the findings of Shi Jinsheng's 2002 doctoral dissertation on the semantic functions of adverbs in modern Chinese Li Xin highlighted the key results of Shi Jinsheng's research on modal adverbs.
In 2002, a new perspective on the classification and study of adverbs was introduced, focusing on modal adverbs through semantic functions The research first addressed the scope and categories of modal adverbs, followed by an analysis of the various factors that restrict their co-occurrence The author proposed a classification system for modal adverbs after reviewing previous studies, concluding that researchers have made significant achievements in both macro and micro analyses However, there remains a lack of consensus in the academic community regarding certain research aspects Additionally, there is considerable disagreement on the internal subcategories of modal adverbs, primarily due to inconsistent classification criteria.
In his 2002 work "Mood Particles and the Mood System," Qi Huyang examines the role of mood adverbs within the mood system He posits that while sentences can contain elements indicating mood, phrases do not The primary indicators of mood are mood particles, which can also include mood adverbs From the perspective of the mood system, Qi asserts that the focus of mood adverbs is primarily found in expressions of will Additionally, he analyzes the functions of mood adverbs in conveying evaluative and interrogative meanings, discussing their emphatic role in relation to the differences between mood and tone.
Overall, it is evident that modal adverbs have garnered significant attention from scholars Despite the growing interest in this area, research on modal adverbs remains limited compared to other word classes in Chinese Modal adverbs, along with adverbs in general, pose challenges in modern Chinese grammar, leading to ongoing debates Consequently, mastering the syntax, semantics, and pragmatics of various modal adverbs is not easy for native Chinese speakers, and it presents even greater difficulties for Vietnamese learners of Chinese We hope that future research will address these challenges.
There are numerous specialized research projects focused on modal adverbs, allowing scholars to achieve significant breakthroughs and accomplishments in this field.
语气副词“毕竟”与“究竟”的研究综述
3.1 语气副词“毕竟” 的研究综述
According to Lü Shuxiang and Ding Shengshu in the 2002 revised edition of the "Modern Chinese Dictionary," the term "毕竟" (bìjìng) is an adverb that signifies a conclusion reached after thorough consideration, and it carries meanings similar to "究竟" (jiūjìng), "终归" (zhōngguī), and "到底" (dàodǐ).
王自强在《现代汉语虚词词典》（1998）中认为，―毕竟‖：副词，
The term "毕竟" (bìjìng) conveys the meaning of "ultimately" or "after all," indicating a conclusion or result It is often used to emphasize the reason in the preceding clause When paired with "是" (shì), it reinforces a previously mentioned word or phrase for emphasis Importantly, "毕竟" is used in declarative sentences to express certainty or affirmation, and it does not carry the connotation of "investigation," making it unsuitable for use in interrogative sentences.
吕叔湘在《现代汉语八百词》（1980）中的解释就是, ―毕竟‖：副词。
The term "毕竟" signifies the conclusion reached after thorough consideration, akin to "究竟," "终归," and "到底." It emphasizes the affirmation of significant or accurate facts while implicitly negating the lesser importance or incorrectness of others' conclusions.
王天姣（2010）在―‗毕竟‘语气副词研究综述‖（硕士学位论文）中已对
―毕竟‖的意义研究进行总结。王天姣认为，北京大学中文系1955、1957级语
In the 1982 work "Examples and Explanations of Modern Chinese Function Words" by Yan Ban, the adverb "毕竟" (bìjìng) is highlighted for its emphasis on the state, nature, and characteristics of things, indicating that ultimately, a situation remains unchanged regardless of circumstances Additionally, "毕竟" signifies that certain events or phenomena ultimately occur It is important to note that "毕竟" is not used in interrogative sentences.
In his 1980 work "Modern Chinese Function Words," Jing Shijun analyzes the modal adverb "毕竟" (bìjìng), identifying it as an adverb that confirms or affirms a certain situation or fact, which cannot be denied under any circumstances Wang Tianjiao notes that "毕竟" emphasizes the inevitability of certain events or situations occurring, similar to the adverb "到底" (dàodǐ) It is important to note that "毕竟" is not used in interrogative sentences.
Zhang Qiuhang's (2006) semantic analysis of the modal adverb "毕竟" (after all) in "汉语学习" explores the distinctions and connections between the adverb's basic and derived meanings By employing semantic background analysis, he summarizes the fundamental uses and discourse functions of "毕竟." Building on previous research, Zhang identifies five perspectives on the semantics of "毕竟," acknowledging their validity while noting their incompleteness He argues that "毕竟" primarily serves to emphasize tone in sentences, which constitutes its basic grammatical meaning, while its derived grammatical meanings relate to expressing conclusions and reasons.
In their 2007 work "15 Lectures on Chinese Function Words," Bai Xiaohong and Zhao Wei summarized the meanings and usages of modal adverbs, including "毕竟" (bìjìng) and "究竟" (jiūjìng), in a comprehensive table.
表二、“毕竟”类语气副词的意义及其用法 (白晓红和赵卫在《汉语虚词15讲》)
说明 到底 究竟 毕竟 终于
表示追问的语气，可用于一般问句以外的疑问
In non-interrogative sentences containing question words, the use of certain symbols emphasizes reasons or characteristics, conveying the idea of "regardless of the circumstances."
果都是这样‖的意思。
表示经过较长时间或艰难的过程，最后出现了
3.2 语气副词“究竟” 的研究综述
In the 2002 revised edition of the "Modern Chinese Dictionary," Lü Shuxiang and Ding Shengshu define "究竟" as (1) a term indicating results or reasons, and (2) an adverb used exclusively in interrogative sentences, as it is not applicable in declarative contexts.
（3）副词，有―毕竟‖、―到底‖的意思。
王自强在《现代汉语虚词词典》（1998）中认为，―究竟‖是副词，
The term "究竟" conveys the meaning of "to investigate" or "to probe," often used in interrogative sentences to emphasize the query, typically positioned before the subject It is important to note that "究竟" questions do not take the particle "吗" and are predominantly found in written language Additionally, "究竟" can imply "ultimately" or "after all," signifying that the conclusion is fundamentally this way, also serving to strengthen the tone of the statement.
―是‖连用，重复它前面的一个词或者词组，强调事物的特性。
In his 1980 work "Eight Hundred Words of Modern Chinese," Lü Shuxiang defines "究竟" as an adverb It is primarily used in interrogative sentences (excluding those with "吗"), indicating a deeper inquiry and serving to strengthen the tone, often found in written language Additionally, "究竟" conveys a meaning similar to "毕竟," enhancing the emphasis in both questioning and evaluative statements When used in "是" sentences, it emphasizes the characteristics of the subject.
Wang Tianjiao (2010) summarizes the research findings on the adverb "究竟" (jiùjìng) in her master's thesis "A Review of the Research on the Adverb '毕竟'." She notes that in the "Modern Chinese Function Words" compiled by the Chinese Department of Peking University in 1982, "究竟" is classified as an adverb similar in meaning to "到底" (dàodǐ) "究竟" can be used in interrogative sentences to inquire about the truth of a matter and in declarative sentences to assert that, regardless of conditions, things remain as they are Additionally, in declarative sentences, "究竟" conveys a sense of inquiry and is often followed by an interrogative pronoun or two parallel options Furthermore, regarding Jing Shijun's "Modern Chinese Function Words" (1980), Wang agrees that "究竟" functions as an adverb in both interrogative and declarative contexts, indicating a pursuit of the true state of affairs, akin to "到底." In declarative sentences, it affirms the nature or conclusion of a situation, similar to "毕竟," with the distinction that "究竟" and "毕竟" differ in specific nuances.
―毕竟‖没有追究的含义，两者在确定事物的形状或结论上有共同点。
In her 2007 article "Examining the Modal Adverb '究竟' from a Grammatical Perspective" published in Modern Language, Yao Xiaoxia argues that '究竟' functions as a modal adverb that emphasizes the pursuit of the true nature of a matter, enhancing the intensity of the expression She analyzes '究竟' from a grammatical standpoint, focusing on its usage in sentence construction and its positional variations within sentences Yao notes that '究竟' can appear in both interrogative and declarative sentences, and it can be positioned either before or after the subject, highlighting its syntactic flexibility.
―究竟‖具有很大的灵活性。
In her 2006 master's thesis titled "A Comparative Study of the Evaluative Adverbs '毕竟' (after all), '到底' (after all), '终究' (ultimately), and '究竟' (exactly)," Chen Xiuming explores the grammatical meanings and distinctions among these four adverbs The research highlights their unique usage in the Chinese language, providing valuable insights into their semantic nuances and contextual applications.
This article conducts a comparative analysis of four Chinese terms: "毕竟" (after all), "到底" (after all), "终究" (ultimately), and "究竟" (exactly) It examines their grammatical meanings and highlights their distinct nuances Additionally, the study explores their discourse functions, with Chen Xiuming noting the functional differences among these terms in various contexts.
语气副词“毕竟”与“究竟”的语义比较分析
1.1 语气副词“毕竟”的语义特征
We conducted a semantic analysis and frequency examination of 308 instances containing the term "毕竟" from the Peking University corpus and various literary works This study categorizes the grammatical meanings of "毕竟" into four main semantic categories based on the collected data.
“毕竟”表示追根究底所得的结论
The phrase typically indicates that existing conditions are insufficient to alter the final conclusion It is commonly used in the context of distinguishing or refuting arguments This expression often appears within specific semantic structures.
繁式为：（虽然）A ＋（但是）毕竟 B ＋ 某种情况 C （I） 简式为：（虽然）A ＋（但是）毕竟 B
A 是肯定甲现象或情况的存在，B 是对A的反驳或辩解，通过―毕竟‖强
Kết luận hoặc kết quả được rút ra từ việc điều chỉnh B có thể dẫn đến những tình huống hoặc hiện tượng C, có thể xuất hiện hoặc bị bỏ qua Sau từ "毕竟" có thể đi kèm với cụm động từ, cụm danh từ hoặc cụm tính từ.
Despite strong evidence against Wu Zhiguo, he remains a prime suspect; however, the case is not yet closed, and nothing is certain.
（2）虽说有点目标，毕竟没拿到证据，嫌疑而已。（麦家《风声》）
Everyone aspires to win and believes they are the best Although the saying "there's no first in literature and no second in martial arts" holds true, the reality remains that only one champion can emerge, highlighting the harshness of competition This intensity is what makes contests so captivating.
In sentences (1), (2), and (3), the term "after all" emphasizes the conclusions drawn from thorough investigation: the case is "still unresolved," the lack of evidence means it is "just a suspicion," and although "there is only one," this harsh reality is also what makes competition compelling Each statement following "after all" contains a verb, reinforcing the action-oriented nature of these conclusions.
This article highlights the nature, condition, and characteristics of various subjects, emphasizing widely accepted facts and conclusions with a strong emphasis.
Cụm từ "毕竟" có thể xuất hiện trong cấu trúc ngữ nghĩa nhằm nhấn mạnh bản chất, trạng thái hoặc đặc điểm của sự vật A khẳng định sự tồn tại của hiện tượng hoặc tình huống nào đó (A có thể bị lược bỏ), trong khi B là sự bác bỏ hoặc biện minh cho A, thông qua "毕竟" để nhấn mạnh bản chất, trạng thái, đặc điểm hoặc một thực tế nào đó.
"There's no need to search any longer." It seems inevitable that she cannot escape this situation, especially since her brother is the one being bullied, and no matter how much Zhan Yuemeng tries, he cannot offer any help.
Although the Fifth Prince remains neutral and does not express his stance, he is nonetheless a full-blooded brother of the Ninth Prince, and the two share a strong bond.
I believe it is unnecessary to focus solely on individual performance Ultimately, this is a team sport, and personal scoring statistics will never outweigh the importance of the team's victory or defeat.
In examples (4) and (5), the term "after all" is used to emphasize important familial relationships, highlighting that "he is her brother" and "the Fifth Prince is the biological brother of the Ninth Prince," which underscores their close bond Similarly, in example (6), "after all" emphasizes the nature of the competition as a team event, reinforcing the collaborative aspect of the game.
（二）强调某种结果最终还是出现了、发生了
The term "毕竟" is used to emphasize that a certain outcome has ultimately occurred after a specific process However, this usage has been declining in modern Chinese In practice, people tend to avoid using "毕竟" in this context, making it a less common choice The typical semantic structure can be described as follows:
某一情况或观点 C ＋ 毕竟 某种变化或最终情况 B
毕竟 某种变化或最终情况 B ＋ 某一情况或观点 C
Moreover, "after all" is used to emphasize that certain outcomes or phenomena emerge only after considerable effort and challenges When highlighting the eventual appearance of a result, it is essential that the preceding clause reflects the struggles or disappointments faced; thus, the clause before "after all" cannot be omitted The clause introduced by "after all" signifies the ultimate result, typically appearing in specific semantic structures.
某种努力、曲折或不如意 A ＋ 毕竟结果 B
（7）实在累得不行，就和衣躺一会儿然后继续工作。有时忙得连饭也顾
不上吃。但是，会议毕竟取得了成功。（北大语料库）
Now, regardless of the circumstances, another son is on the way I reassure myself that this child is, in fact, the same child; he may have arrived twenty years late, but ultimately, he is here.
