万
一

About

The word "万一" is formed by combining the character 万, meaning "ten thousand" or "a large number", with the character 一, meaning "one"; this literal juxtaposition of a vast quantity against a single unit creates the conceptual meaning of a one-in-ten-thousand chance, leading to its idiomatic use to express contingency or a remote possibility, as in "just in case".

Example Sentences Hide

你万一没带伞怎么办？

Nǐ wànyī méi dài sǎn zěnme bàn?

What will you do if you forget to bring an umbrella?

我们最好带上地图，万一迷路了呢。

Wǒmen zuì hǎo dài shàng dìtú, wànyī mílù le ne.

We'd better take a map, in case we get lost.

万一明天下雨，活动就改在室内举行。

Wànyī míngtiān xià yǔ, huódòng jiù gǎi zài shìnèi jǔxíng.

If it rains tomorrow, the event will be moved indoors.

请你记下我的号码，万一有急事可以联系我。

Qǐng nǐ jì xià wǒ de hàomǎ, wànyī yǒu jíshì kěyǐ liánxì wǒ.

Please write down my number so you can contact me in case of an emergency.

我们必须做好万全的准备，以应对万一出现的突发状况。

Wǒmen bìxū zuò hǎo wànquán de zhǔnbèi, yǐ yìngduì wànyī chūxiàn de tūfā zhuàngkuàng.

We must make comprehensive preparations to deal with any unforeseen circumstances that might arise.

Word Definition - 万一

wàn yī just in case; if by any chance; contingency

Individual Character Details

万 mò, wàn, wàn
一 yī