不论 búlùn whatever
whatever; no matter what (who, how etc); regardless of; not to discuss
How to remember 不论: 不 not + 论 discuss = whatever.
Characters
How it is used
- 不论 (búlùn) means 'no matter (what/who/how)' and pairs with question words or 还是 to set up an all-encompassing condition: 不论天气怎么样，我们都去 (búlùn tiānqì zěnmeyàng, wǒmen dōu qù) - no matter the weather, we're going.
- It's interchangeable with 无论 (wúlùn) in most contexts; 无论 feels slightly more formal/written, 不论 slightly more neutral, but both need 都/也 in the following clause.
- The second clause almost always needs 都 or 也 to complete the pattern - omitting it is a common learner error.
- Rarer literal sense: 不 + 论 as 'not to discuss,' seen in set phrases like 姑且不论 (gūqiě búlùn) - leaving aside for now.
Example sentences
- 不论去哪，我都会迷路。 Búlùn qù nǎ, wǒ dōu huì mílù.No matter where I go, I get lost.
- 不论发生什么事，我都会在你身边。 Búlùn fāshēng shénme shì, wǒ dōu huì zài nǐ shēnbiān.I will stand by you whatever happens.
- 不论我做什么，她都说我能做得更好。 Búlùn wǒ zuò shénme, tā dōu shuō wǒ néng zuò de gènghǎo.No matter what I do, she says I can do better.