Ch 30 · Lesson 17Mandarin · Chapter 30 · Lesson 17 · Grammar primer
无论如何, and no matter or even if?
is the more formal , means whatever happens, and concedes one case where covers them all: ，.
The short version
，。Jíshǐ hěn guì, wǒ yě mǎi.
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(bùguǎn) takes an open middle and (dōu): (bùguǎn duō guì), (wǒ dōu mǎi), whatever it costs, I'm buying it. (jíshǐ), 'even if', concedes one plain case and takes (yě). And (wúlùn rúhé) means 'whatever happens'.
无论 (wúlùn) or 不管 (bùguǎn)?
Same grammar, different register. In most sentences they swap:
- 不管 bùguǎn: everyday
- 无论 wúlùn: neutral to formal
- 不论 búlùn: formal writing
| Hanzi | Pinyin | English |
|---|---|---|
，。 | Bùguǎn nǐ qù bu qù, wǒ dōu qù. | Whether you go or not, I'm going |
，。 | Wúlùn shì shénme yuányīn, jiéguǒ dōu yíyàng. | Whatever the reason, the result is the same |
(bùguǎn) literally means "not care about", and it still sounds a little like a shrug. In an essay or a formal email, write (wúlùn).
无论如何 (wúlùn rúhé): whatever happens
(wúlùn rúhé) is with the formal (rúhé), "how", already filling the middle. It has set into one expression, "whatever happens, at all costs", so there is nothing to add:
| Hanzi | Pinyin | English |
|---|---|---|
。 | Wǒ wúlùn rúhé dōu yào qù. | I'm going whatever happens |
，。 | Wúlùn rúhé, nǐ míngtiān dōu yào lái. | Whatever happens, come tomorrow |
It works in speech as well as writing. The chattier way to say it is (bùguǎn zěnmeyàng), "whatever happens"; (fǎnzhèng), "anyway", is the casual one-word shrug.
No matter, or even if?
(bùguǎn) covers every possibility at once. (jíshǐ), "even if", concedes one case, a plain statement, and takes (yě):
| Hanzi | Pinyin | English |
|---|---|---|
，。 | Bùguǎn duō guì, wǒ dōu mǎi. | However much it costs: every price |
，。 | Jíshǐ hěn guì, wǒ yě mǎi. | Even if it's expensive: one case |
So the plain statement that breaks (bùguǎn) is exactly what (jíshǐ) wants. The whole even-if family is on even though and even if.
Mistakes English speakers make
| Wrong | Right | Why |
|---|---|---|
，。 | ，。 | the middle must be open: (duō) + adjective |
，。 | ，。 | (dōu) goes after the subject |
，。 | ，。 | (shénme) means "whatever": no (ma) |
，。 | ，。 | (jíshǐ) takes (yě) |
Going further: The whole system on one screen and the rest of the guide, when you want them. This lesson does not need them.
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