无论如何: No Matter What in Chinese
无论如何
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.
Published July 17, 2026
Reviewed July 17, 2026
01 / PATTERN
See the Structure
MODEL
无论如何, Subject + Fixed Decision/Result
Read the structure
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. Keep the model 无论如何, Subject + Fixed Decision/Result visible while you compare each sentence.
无论如何，我们今天必须作出决定。
In any case, we must make a decision today.
Choose the right context
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。
这份工作我无论如何都要完成。
No matter what, I am going to finish this work.
Respect the boundary
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.
如何无论，我们今天必须作出决定。
(In any case, we must make a decision today.)
Repair the pattern
The fixed expression is reversed: The conventional expression has the fixed order 无论 + 如何 and functions as one adverbial unit. 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.
无论如何，我们今天必须作出决定。
Use the repaired structure without changing the intended meaning.
02 / MAP
Read the Sentence
Read from left to right and notice the job performed by each part. The labels describe this example; they are not a rule that every Chinese sentence must copy.
无论如何，我们今天必须作出决定。
In any case, we must make a decision today.
无论
无论如何, Subject
This part occupies the 无论如何, Subject position in the model pattern.
如何
Fixed Decision/Result
This part occupies the Fixed Decision/Result position in the model pattern.
，
无论如何, Subject
This part occupies the 无论如何, Subject position in the model pattern.
我们
Fixed Decision/Result
This part occupies the Fixed Decision/Result position in the model pattern.
今天
无论如何, Subject
This part occupies the 无论如何, Subject position in the model pattern.
必须
Fixed Decision/Result
This part occupies the Fixed Decision/Result position in the model pattern.
作出
无论如何, Subject
This part occupies the 无论如何, Subject position in the model pattern.
决定
Fixed Decision/Result
This part occupies the Fixed Decision/Result position in the model pattern.
03 / EXAMPLES
Examples You Can Reuse
Keep the structure stable while changing the people, objects, times, or conditions. Pinyin is shown as reading support; use the Chinese sentence and translation to confirm the grammar relationship.
无论如何，我们今天必须作出决定。
In any case, we must make a decision today.
这份工作我无论如何都要完成。
No matter what, I am going to finish this work.
你太累了，无论如何别再开车了。
You are too tired; whatever happens, do not drive again.
04 / LIMITS
When to Use It — and When Not To
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。
Do not 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.
05 / REPAIR
Compare Right and Wrong
Compare the smallest meaningful change. Each explanation identifies a placement, scope, form, or clause relationship instead of treating the whole sentence as one undifferentiated mistake.
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.
如何无论，我们今天必须作出决定。
Use the fixed order 无论如何。
无论了如何，我都要完成这份工作。
Do not split the fixed expression with 了: 无论如何。
06 / PRACTICE
Practice the Grammar Point
Complete three short tasks in order: judge the pattern, repair a common error, and build the sentence. Feedback is fixed and reviewed, so these activities do not use a checker allowance.
1. Judge the sentence
2. Choose the correction
3. Build the sentence
Build a complete sentence with 无论如何.
07 / APPLY
Apply It in Your Sentence
Write one original sentence with 无论如何. Your draft moves to the checker through this browser session, selects this grammar point as the first review focus, and waits for you to submit.
08 / QUESTIONS
无论如何: No Matter What Questions
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.
09 / SOURCES
Sources and Review Notes
These references support different parts of the lesson. GF0025-2021 supports level placement only; professional grammar works support the explanation, limits, examples, and cross-checks. Their inclusion does not imply endorsement.
Modern Mandarin Chinese Grammar: A Practical Guide, 3rd ed.
Ross, Ma, Chen, He and Yeh · Routledge · 2024
Locator: Construction index and function chapters relevant to 无论如何
Supports the learner-facing account of where 无论如何 appears and what communicative job it performs.
Official sourceChinese: A Comprehensive Grammar, 2nd ed.
Yip and Rimmington · Routledge · 2016
Locator: Relevant sentence and clause chapters for 无论如何
Cross-checks the 无论如何, Subject + Fixed Decision/Result pattern, clause relationship, and limits represented by the reviewed examples.
Official sourceChinese Proficiency Grading Standards for International Chinese Language Education (GF0025-2021)
Ministry of Education and State Language Commission · Ministry of Education of the PRC · 2021
Locator: Appendix A, combined Levels 7–9 grammar inventory
Supports directory placement at HSK 7 as an internal subdivision of the official advanced band; it does not independently prove usage rules.
Official source10 / CONTINUE
Continue with a Connected Rule
Continue learning
无论…都无论...都 (No Matter...)
Continue from the fixed 无论如何 phrase to productive no-matter clauses with 都.
Compare
归根到底归根到底 (guīgēn dàodǐ)
Distinguish maintaining a conclusion from identifying the fundamental cause or bottom line.
Easy to confuse
反正反正 for an Outcome Unchanged by Alternatives
Compare formal conclusion maintenance through 无论如何 with conversational dismissal through 反正.
Compare
说什么/怎么（着）也得X说什么/怎么（着）也得X Unavoidable Action
Compare maintaining any conclusion with specifically insisting that one action remains required.
RECOMMENDED NEXT
Compare
Distinguish maintaining a conclusion from identifying the fundamental cause or bottom line.