#n2 kanji

JLPT Level: N1, and the kanji are N3 and N2 respectively.

Wow, two words that are on the JLPT in a row. Am I losing my edge? 

Let’s break down the kanji:

到

On-yomi: tou
Kun-yomi: ita.ru
Meaning: arrival, proceed, reach, attain, result in

底

On-yomi: tei
Kun-yomi: soko
Meaning:bottom, sole, depth, bottom price, base, kind, sort

So we can put these two kanji together to get the literal meaning of “reaching the bottom.” How does that come to mean “cannot possibly,” or “no matter how”?

Well, I did some expert googling but was unable to find anything. :( 

My personal opinion, though, is that it’s either of two things:

• “I am certain to the bottom of my heart that this is impossible.”
• Even if you reach down within yourself and do your best, it is impossible.”

Those are just guesses, and I’m not a native speaker, but that’s my take.