HSK 5
万一
wànyī
in the unlikely case
Structure
万一 + [Hypothetical Event], (就/那么) + [Result/Consequence]
How it works
The word '万一' is used to express an 'unlikely' or 'remote' possibility, similar to 'just in case' or 'in the event that' in English. It is often used to discuss hypothetical situations that the speaker hopes to avoid, and it typically introduces a contingency or a warning.
Examples
你应该带上伞，万一下雨呢？
Nǐ yīnggāi dàishàng sǎn, wànyī xiàyǔ ne?
You should bring an umbrella, just in case it rains.
万一他迷路了，你可以给他打电话。
Wànyī tā mílù le, nǐ kěyǐ gěi tā dǎ diànhuà.
In the unlikely event that he gets lost, you can give him a call.
我们得早点去机场，万一路上堵车呢。
Wǒmen děi zǎodiǎn qù jīchǎng, wànyī lùshàng dǔchē ne.
We must go to the airport earlier, in case there is a traffic jam on the way.
Common mistakes
Do not confuse '万一' with '如果' (rúguǒ). While both mean 'if', '万一' implies the event is a negative fluke or highly improbable.
Tip
When '万一' is used at the end of a sentence followed by '呢' (ne), it functions as a rhetorical question similar to 'But what if...?'
More HSK 5 grammar
See 万一 in real Chinese
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