This is the 254th most frequent Chinese word.
根本
"根本" means "fundamental" or "basic."
In this sentence, '根本' is used to emphasize the complete negation or denial of knowing about the action.
我根本不知道他来了。
I had absolutely no idea he was coming.
Here, '根本' is used to state that the essence or fundamental nature of the issue is being addressed, implying no solution inherently exists.
这个问题根本就是无解的。
This problem is fundamentally unsolvable.
In this case, '根本' emphasizes a strong negation to refute the statement completely.