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conjunction HSK 4
bùguǎn
no matter (what/who/when/where/how) · regardless of · whether or not

Meaning

不管 is a conjunction that introduces a clause expressing that the outcome or action remains the same regardless of the conditions mentioned. It emphasizes that something is true or will happen in all circumstances, without exception.

Usage

不管 is typically followed by question words (谁/什么/哪儿/怎么样) or alternative choices (A还是B), and the main clause often includes 都 or 也 to reinforce the 'in all cases' meaning. It's common in both spoken and written Chinese and is slightly more casual than its near-synonym 无论.

Examples

  1. 01
    不管天气怎么样，我们明天都要去爬山。
    Bùguǎn tiānqì zěnmeyàng, wǒmen míngtiān dōu yào qù páshān.
    No matter what the weather is like, we're going hiking tomorrow.
  2. 02
    不管你喜欢还是不喜欢，这件事你必须做。
    Bùguǎn nǐ xǐhuan háishi bù xǐhuan, zhè jiàn shì nǐ bìxū zuò.
    Whether you like it or not, you must do this.

Characters

Common collocations

  • 不管怎么样
    bùguǎn zěnmeyàng
    no matter what, in any case
  • 不管是...还是...
    bùguǎn shì... háishi...
    whether... or...
  • 不管谁
    bùguǎn shéi
    no matter who
  • 不管...都...
    bùguǎn... dōu...
    no matter... all/always...

Origin

Literally means 'not caring' or 'not minding,' which evolved into the meaning 'regardless of' or 'no matter.'

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