毕竟 (bì jìng) is a conjunction or adverb meaning 'after all' or 'in the end', used to introduce a fact that explains, justifies, or softens a previous statement. Though it contains two characters—毕 (bì), meaning 'to finish' or 'completely', and 竟 (jìng), meaning 'finally' or 'unexpectedly'—together they form an inseparable compound expressing inevitability or underlying truth. It often appears mid-sentence or at the beginning, followed by a clause that provides a grounding reason or reality.

This word carries a tone of gentle emphasis or mild concession—it’s common in spoken and written Chinese when acknowledging an obvious truth, tempering criticism, or adding perspective. It’s frequently used in discussions involving compromise, understanding, or realism: for example, when excusing a mistake ('He’s only a child, after all') or recognizing limitations ('We’re tired, after all'). It conveys empathy and nuance, not finality like 'ultimately' might in English.