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"If" StatementsHSK 5

Expressing 'what if' with 万一

The word 万一 (wànyī) means 'what if' or 'in case,' used to express a remote but possible negative scenario. You can place it before or after the subject, and it's often paired with 呢 or 怎么办 at the end to form a rhetorical question. The most common mistake is forgetting to use 呢 or 怎么办 when asking about a hypothetical situation.

Structure

万一 + [situation] + 怎么办 ？
万一 can appear before or after the subject
万一 + [situation] + 呢 ？
alternative pattern, same meaning

Examples

  • 万一我父母不同意呢？
    Wànyī wǒ fùmǔ bù tóngyì ne?
    What if my parents disapprove?
  • 万一被发现了怎么办？
    Wànyī bèi fāxiàn le zěnme bàn?
    What if we get caught?
  • 带着伞吧，万一下雨呢？
    Dài zhe sǎn ba, wàn yī xiàyǔ ne?
    Take an umbrella. What if it rains?
  • 你先打电话问问。他万一不在呢？
    Nǐ xiān dǎ diànhuà wènwen. Tā wànyī bù zài ne?
    You should call first. What if he's not there?
  • 开慢点！万一撞到人怎么办？
    Kāi màn diǎn! Wànyī zhuàngdào rén zěnme bàn?
    Drive more slowly! What if you hit someone?

Words that use this