万一
HSK 4- Conditionals
Structure (结构 jiégòu)
Meaning (意思 yìsi)
万一 is used to express a hypothesis that is unlikely to occur, typically an unfavorable situation that one should guard against.
Explanation (解释 jiěshì)
万一 (wànyī) means "just in case" or "what if," used to introduce a hypothetical situation with a very low probability of occurring, usually something undesirable. The speaker uses 万一 to prepare for an unfavorable scenario, even while knowing it is unlikely to happen.
It is like saying "just to be safe." The following clause is often a question such as 怎么办 (what should we do?) or a proposed solution.
Examples (例句 lìjù)(5)
- 你带上雨伞吧，万一下雨呢？繁: 你帶上雨傘吧，萬一下雨呢？Nǐ dài shang yǔsǎn ba, wànyī xià yǔ ne?
You should bring an umbrella with you, just in case it rains.
- 我们早点儿出发，万一堵车呢。繁: 我們早點兒出發，萬一堵車呢。Wǒmen zǎo diǎnr chūfā, wànyī dǔchē ne.
Let's leave a bit earlier in case we get stuck in traffic.
- 万一我考试不及格怎么办？繁: 萬一我考試不及格怎麼辦？Wànyī wǒ kǎoshì bù jígé zěnme bàn?
What if I fail the exam?
- 你记下他的电话，万一有事呢。繁: 你記下他的電話，萬一有事呢。Nǐ jì xià tā de diànhuà, wànyī yǒu shì ne.
You should note down his phone number in case something comes up.
- 多带点钱，万一不够用怎么办？繁: 多帶點錢，萬一不夠用怎麼辦？Duō dài diǎn qián, wànyī bú gòu yòng zěnme bàn?
Bring some extra money in case it's not enough.
Common mistakes
- Wrong:万一你明天来，就给我打电话。Correct:如果你明天来，就给我打电话。
万一 is used for unlikely events. For ordinary hypothetical situations ("if you come"), 如果 is more natural.
- Wrong:万一我中了彩票，我就买房子。Correct:如果我中了彩票，我就买房子。
万一 usually implies a bad or undesired situation. For positive hypotheticals like winning the lottery, 如果 is more appropriate.