walau bagaimanapun

Nevertheless with Walau Bagaimanapun

Level 4

Use walau bagaimanapun at the start of a sentence to say 'however' or 'nevertheless' in formal writing. It signals that despite what was just said, the following information is true or important.

How It Works

In formal Malay, walau bagaimanapun serves as a high-level transition. It is composed of three parts: walau (although), bagaimana (how), and pun (even/also), literally meaning 'no matter how it is.'

1. Syntactic Position
Most commonly, it appears at the beginning of a sentence to contrast it with the previous sentence. In this position, a comma is mandatory. It can also appear in the middle of a sentence as a parenthetical insert, surrounded by commas (e.g., Hal itu, walau bagaimanapun, penting.).

2. Register and Usage
This expression is highly formal. You will see it in news reports, academic essays, and official letters. In casual conversation, Malaysians usually prefer tapi (but) or walaupun macam tu (even so).

3. Distinction from Walaupun
A common error is confusing this with walaupun. While both deal with concession, walaupun is a subordinating conjunction used within a single sentence to link a dependent clause (e.g., 'Although it rained, he went'). Walau bagaimanapun is a sentence connector that stands between two complete, independent thoughts.

Examples (4)

Beliau telah berusaha dengan gigih. Walau bagaimanapun, beliau gagal mencapai matlamatnya.
He worked very hard. Nevertheless, he failed to achieve his goal.
Word by Word: He already effort with diligent. Although how even, he fail reach goal-his.
This shows the standard use of the phrase at the start of a new sentence to show a contrasting result.
Keputusan itu, walau bagaimanapun, tertakluk kepada pindaan pihak atasan.
The decision, however, is subject to amendments by the higher authorities.
Word by Word: Decision that, although how even, subject to amendment party upper.
This demonstrates the medial position, where the phrase acts as a parenthetical comment.
Cuaca diramalkan buruk hari ini. Walau bagaimanapun, majlis itu tetap akan diteruskan.
The weather is forecast to be bad today. Regardless, the ceremony will still proceed.
Word by Word: Weather forecast bad day this. Although how even, ceremony that fixed will be-continued.
Here, the phrase signals a concession: despite the bad weather, the plan remains unchanged.
Pasukan itu bermain dengan baik. Walau bagaimanapun, mereka kalah dalam perlawanan tersebut.
The team played well. However, they lost in that match.
Word by Word: Team that play with good. Although how even, they lose in match mentioned.
A classic formal contrast between a positive premise and a negative outcome.

Common Mistakes

Writing the phrase as a single word.
Walaubagaimanapun, dia tetap datang.
Walau bagaimanapun, dia tetap datang.
According to standard Malay orthography (DBP), 'walau bagaimanapun' must be written as two words (walau + bagaimanapun).
Using it like a subordinating conjunction (replacing 'walaupun').
Walau bagaimanapun dia sakit, dia pergi bekerja.
Walaupun dia sakit, dia pergi bekerja.
You cannot use 'walau bagaimanapun' to start a dependent clause. Use 'walaupun' for 'although' within a single sentence.
Omitting the comma after the phrase at the start of a sentence.
Walau bagaimanapun kami tidak setuju.
Walau bagaimanapun, kami tidak setuju.
As a discourse marker at the beginning of a sentence, it should always be followed by a comma to separate it from the main clause.

How It Connects

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

walau bagaimanapunLevel 4Nevertheless with Walau Bagaimanapun

Learn This First

To understand 'walau bagaimanapun', learners need to recognize its components: 'walau' (although), 'bagaimana' (how), and the particle 'pun' (even/ever). Together, they function as a formal transition meaning 'nevertheless' or 'however', which builds upon simpler contrast markers.

Words in This Pattern