万一

wàn yī

HSK 2.0 Level 5 HSK 3.0 Level 5 Noun Common

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Definitions

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

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Word relationships

Register variants

1 item

• 倘若 tǎng ruò 倘若 tǎng ruò if; supposing; in case More formal/literary than 万一, also means 'if' for hypotheticals: if; supposing; in case

Related words

1 item

• 如果 rú guǒ 如果 rú guǒ if Used as a conjunction meaning 'if'; 万一 implies an unlikely or undesirable condition: if

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.

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 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 以防万一 yǐ fáng wàn yī: to guard against the unexpected (idiom); just in case

Child Words of 万一

• 一 一 yī: one
• 万 万 wàn: ten thousand