Japanese Conversation · Level 106
60 words
Japanese word
万一
Pronunciation
Romajiman'ichi
Meaning
- nounif by any chance
Example
万一遅れる場合は、連絡してください。man ichi oku re ru ba ai wa ren raku shi te ku da sa i
If by any chance you are late, please contact me.
More examples
万一に備えて、懐中電灯を用意しています。man ichi ni sona e te kai chū den tō o yō i shi te i ma su
I keep a flashlight ready for emergencies.
Core concept
Frames a rare possible event as a reason to consider what to do next.
Common phrases
万一に備えてman ichi ni sona e te
prepare for the unexpected
万一の場合man ichi no ba ai
in case of emergency
万一の事態man ichi no ji tai
an unlikely situation
Similar words
万が一mangaichi: A spoken expression for a very unlikely event that calls for preparation.
Definition in Japanese
起こる可能性が非常に低い事態や場合。o ko ru ka nō sei ga hi jō ni hiku i ji tai ya ba ai
Word origin
万一 (man'ichi) combines 万 (man, "ten thousand") with 一 (ichi, "one"), using the ratio of ten thousand to one to express an unlikely possibility.
Usage tips
- In warnings and instructions, 万一の際 (man'ichi no sai) introduces what to do if a rare problem occurs, giving the word a practical tone.