Definition
万一 (wànyī) means 'just in case' or 'if by any chance' and is used for a remote but undesirable possibility you want to prepare for. Unlike 如果 (rú guǒ), the standard 'if' for likely situations, 万一 emphasizes precaution against an unlikely event. It is less formal than the literary 倘若 (tǎng ruò) and 假使 (jiǎ shǐ).
conjunction
just in caseif by any chance (indicates a remote possibility one should prepare for)
noun
contingencya remote possibility
Examples
- ,万一。Dài bǎ sǎn, wàn yī xià yǔ.Take an umbrella just in case it rains.
- 万一,。wàn yī tā méi lái, wǒmen jiù xiān kāishǐ.If by any chance he doesn't come, we'll start without him.
- ,。Duō dài xiē qián, yǐ fáng wàn yī.Bring more money just in case.
Grammar
Browse more HSK 5 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.