HSK 7
无论如何: No Matter What in Chinese
无论如何 is a fixed adverbial expression meaning in any case or no matter what happens. It sets aside possible circumstances and emphasizes that a decision, request, or conclusion remains unchanged. It can stand at the beginning or inside a clause and differs from productive 无论...都..., which explicitly names the alternatives or question-word range.
STRUCTURE
无论如何, Subject + Fixed Decision/Result
When to use 无论如何 — and when not
Use it when
- To insist on an unchanged decision: 无论如何，我们今天必须作出决定。
- Inside a clause with 都 for emphasis: 这份工作我无论如何都要完成。
- To give an urgent instruction despite circumstances: 无论如何别再开车了。
Don't use it when
- When the sentence needs to name specific alternatives; use 无论 A 还是 B or 无论 + question word.
- Do not reverse the fixed order to 如何无论.
- Do not insert aspect particles or structural particles inside the fixed expression.
Right vs. wrong
如何无论，我们今天必须作出决定。
无论如何，我们今天必须作出决定。
The fixed expression is reversed
The conventional expression has the fixed order 无论 + 如何 and functions as one adverbial unit.
无论了如何，我都要完成这份工作。
无论如何，我都要完成这份工作。
The aspect particle 了 is inserted inside the fixed expression
无论如何 cannot be split by 了. Any aspect marking belongs with the relevant predicate, not inside the connective.
Examples
无论如何，我们今天必须作出决定。
Wúlùn rúhé, wǒmen jīntiān bìxū zuòchū juédìng.
In any case, we must make a decision today.
这份工作我无论如何都要完成。
Zhè fèn gōngzuò wǒ wúlùn rúhé dōu yào wánchéng.
No matter what, I am going to finish this work.
你太累了，无论如何别再开车了。
Nǐ tài lèi le, wúlùn rúhé bié zài kāichē le.
You are too tired; whatever happens, do not drive again.
Common mistakes
如何无论，我们今天必须作出决定。
Rúhé wúlùn, wǒmen jīntiān bìxū zuòchū juédìng.
Use the fixed order 无论如何。
无论了如何，我都要完成这份工作。
Wúlùn le rúhé, wǒ dōu yào wánchéng zhè fèn gōngzuò.
Do not split the fixed expression with 了: 无论如何。
Think you've got it?
Write your own 无论如何 sentence and check that grammar point first.
无论如何: No Matter What FAQ
What is the difference between 无论如何 and 无论...都...?
无论如何 is a fixed expression meaning 'in any case.' 无论...都... is a productive frame that names alternatives or a range, such as 无论谁来，我都欢迎.
Does 无论如何 require 都?
No. 都 can reinforce the unchanged result, but sentences such as 无论如何，我们得走了 are complete without it.