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万一

wàn yī
HSK 2.0 Level 5 HSK 3.0 Level 5 Noun Common

Definitions

  1. 1. just in case
  2. 2. if by any chance
  3. 3. contingency

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Word relationships

Register variants

1 item
倘若
tǎng ruò

if; supposing; in case

More formal/literary than 万一, also means 'if' for hypotheticals

Related words

1 item
如果
rú guǒ

if

Used as a conjunction meaning 'if'; 万一 implies an unlikely or undesirable condition

Usage notes

Common mistakes

Do not confuse with 千万 (qiān wàn) which means 'absolutely' or 'by all means', used in imperative sentences.

Formality

万一 is suitable for both spoken and written Chinese, but often appears in warnings or casual advice.

Grammar

Guides that feature 万一

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1 guide
HSK 2.0 Level 5+ HSK 3.0 Level 5+ 6 min
万一...（就）... for “In Case” and “What If”

Use 万一 for an unlikely, usually unwanted possibility and what to do if it happens.

Reading: wàn yī Open guide

Example Sentences

1 shown
你带一把伞吧， 万一 下雨。
Bring an umbrella just in case it rains.

AI-generated examples are marked with this icon.

Words Containing 万一

不怕一万，就怕万一
bù pà yī wàn , jiù pà wàn yī

better to be safe than sorry (proverb)

以防万一
yǐ fáng wàn yī

to guard against the unexpected (idiom); just in case

Child Words of 万一

一
yī

one

万
wàn

ten thousand