万一 wànyī just in case
just in case; if by any chance; contingency
How to remember 万一: 万 ten thousand + 一 one = just in case.
Characters
How it is used
- Just in case / in the unlikely event. 万一下雨怎么办？(wànyī xiàyǔ zěnme bàn?) what if it rains?
- As a noun, 'a contingency/the worst': 以防万一 (yǐfáng wànyī) to be on the safe side, just in case.
- 万一 stresses a small but serious possibility (lit. 'one in ten thousand'), unlike neutral 如果 (rúguǒ, if). It flags a worry.
Example sentences
- 万一我来晚的话，就别等我了。 Wànyī wǒlái wǎn dehuà, jiùbié děng wǒ le.If by any chance I'm late, please don't wait for me.
- 万一来不了，我会先给你打电话。 Wànyī lái bùliǎo, wǒhuì xiāngěi nǐ dǎdiànhuà.In case I can't come, I'll give you a call beforehand.
- 万一船运迟了，我们有特别的迟到保险。 Wànyī chuányùn chí le, wǒmen yǒu tèbié de chídào bǎoxiǎn.In case the shipment is delayed, we have special delay insurance.