毕竟 (bìjìng) can be used to emphasize a reason or characteristic, and is like "after all" where you might say, "he is after all, only a child." 毕竟 is used both in spoken and written Chinese.

Basic Form

In it's most basic form, you just need to add the "after all" stuff after the 毕竟, and it could be a reason or a characteristic.

Structure

Examples

他毕竟是孩子，你就别打他了。After all, he's only a kid. Don't hit him.
毕竟是冬天，你还是多穿点吧。It's winter after all. You'd better wear more clothes.
他不知道也很正常，毕竟他不是本地人。It is normal that he doesn't know. After all, he is not a local.
有的玩笑不能再开了，毕竟他们都是大孩子了。 Some jokes shouldn't be said again. After all, they are all grown up.
对我们来说，搬家是个很难的决定，毕竟我们已经在这儿生活了好几年。For us, moving is a difficult decision, after all, we've lived here for a few years.

Complex Form

Structure

In this structure, the parts after 虽然 and 毕竟 are reasons or characteristics, and the part after (as a result) is a result or conclusion. It's a bit more complex, so pay attention to the different parts in the example sentences below.

Examples

虽然他做错了，但毕竟他还是小，你就别打他了。Although he did something wrong, he is, after all, so young. So don't hit him.
虽然我穿了不少衣服，但毕竟是北方的冬天，所以我还是觉得挺冷的。Although I wear a lot of clothes , it is, after all, winter in the north. I still feel very cold.
虽然我跟他认识，但毕竟不太熟，还是不要去麻烦人家了。Although I know him, after all we are not close. I'd better not trouble him.
虽然我小时候奶奶对我不好，但毕竟她是我奶奶，所以我还是会照顾她。Although my grandma didn't treat me well, but after all, she is my grandma, so I still look after her.
虽然你们已经离婚了，但毕竟还有一个孩子，跟孩子在一起的时候别吵架。Although you are divorced, there is, after all, a child. So don't start fighting when you're with the child.

Basic Form

Structure

Examples

Complex Form

Structure

Examples

Sources and further reading

Books