bununla belə

Discourse Contrast Bununla Belə

Level 5

Use bununla belə to acknowledge a fact but introduce a surprising or contradictory follow-up. It is the formal equivalent of 'even so' or 'however'.

How It Works

bununla belə is a high-level contrastive connective in Azerbaijani. It is composed of the near demonstrative bu (this), the genitive case suffix, the postposition -la (with), and the particle belə (even/so).

Key characteristics include:

  • Register: It is strictly formal and literary. You will encounter it in news reports, academic papers, and official speeches.
  • Position: It often starts a new sentence, or follows a comma or semicolon. In written Azerbaijani, it is standard practice to place a comma after it when it begins a sentence.
  • Function: It acts as a concessive marker. While amma (but) is a general contrast, bununla belə specifically emphasizes that the first point does not invalidate the second.

Examples (4)

  1. Hava kəskin soyuyub, bununla belə, dağçılar zirvəyə doğru irəliləməyə davam edirlər.

    The weather has turned bitterly cold; nevertheless, the climbers continue to advance toward the summit.

    Word by Word: Weather sharply has-cooled, with-this even, climbers summit-towards advancing continue they-are-doing.

    Here, the cold weather is a significant obstacle, but the marker shows it doesn't stop the climbers.

  2. Layihənin büdcəsi məhduddur. Bununla belə, biz işi vaxtında çatdırmalıyıq.

    The project's budget is limited. Nonetheless, we must finish the work on time.

    Word by Word: Project's budget limited-is. With-this even, we work time-in must-deliver.

    This demonstrates the use of the phrase at the start of a new sentence to link back to a previous constraint.

  3. Göstəricilər yaxşılaşıb, bununla belə, risklər qalır.

    The indicators have improved; however, risks remain.

    Word by Word: Indicators have-improved, with-this even, risks remain.

    Used in a professional context to balance positive news with a necessary caution.

  4. O, çox yorulmuşdu, bununla belə, məşqi yarımçıq qoymadı.

    He was very tired; nevertheless, he did not leave the training unfinished.

    Word by Word: He, very had-become-tired, with-this even, training half-way did-not-leave.

    Shows the concessive nature: despite the fatigue, the action continued.

Common Mistakes

  • Using a formal connector in casual talk.

    Different MeaningDostum, mən ac deyiləm, bununla belə, bir az çörək yeyərəm.
    Dostum, mən ac deyiləm, amma bir az çörək yeyərəm.

    'Dostum, mən ac deyiləm, bununla belə, bir az çörək yeyərəm' is correct but stiff. With friends, 'amma' or 'ancaq' sounds more natural.

  • Omitting the comma after the phrase.

    Bununla belə biz qalib gəldik.
    Bununla belə, biz qalib gəldik.

    In formal Azerbaijani writing, discourse markers that introduce a sentence are typically followed by a comma.

  • Choosing 'nevertheless' where 'so' is meant.

    Different MeaningYağış yağırdı, bununla belə çətir götürdüm.
    Yağış yağırdı, buna görə də çətir götürdüm.

    'Yağış yağırdı, bununla belə çətir götürdüm' is a good sentence meaning 'It rained; even so, I took an umbrella.' To say 'It rained, so I took an umbrella', use 'buna görə də'.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

bununla beləLevel 5Discourse Contrast Bununla Belə

Learn This First

To understand 'bununla belə', a learner needs to recognize the demonstrative pronoun 'bu' and how it combines with the instrumental suffix '-la' to form 'bununla' (with this). Additionally, familiarity with basic contrastive logic in Azerbaijani is essential for using this formal discourse marker correctly.

Words in This Pattern

bununla belə