Grammar Info
N2 Lesson 1: 10/21

一応(いちおう) ①
just in case, just to be sure

Structure
一応 + Phrase
Details
Register Standard
使用域 一般
Information
When used as a 副詞(ふくし), 一応(いちおう) can often carry the nuance of (A) not being perfect, but the minimum required in order to prevent (B). This particular nuance of 一応(いちおう) may be interpreted as ‘just in case, (A)’, or ‘just to be sure (A)’.
  • 今日(きょう)はずっと晴(は)れって天気(てんき)予報(よほう)で言(い)ってたけど曇(くも)ってきたから 一応(いちおう)傘(かさ)を持(も)って行(い)ったほうがいいかも。
    They said it was going to be sunny all day today on the forecast, but it is starting to get cloudy so it might be better to bring an umbrella just in case.
  • これで大丈夫(だいじょうぶ)だと思(おも)うけど、 一応(いちおう)チェックしておいてくれない?
    I think this is fine, but just to be sure, can you please double check it for me?
When 一応(いちおう) is used this way, it frequently highlights that (B) happening is unlikely, but the precautionary measure of (A) might be a good idea to avoid it. This is in contrast to another common use of 一応(いちおう) which can be translated as ‘more or less’, or ‘for the time being’. However, in both of its uses, it simply indicates the minimum amount of (A) which is fulfilling some requirement.
  • 田中(たなか):「仕事(しごと)慣(な)れてきた?」鈴木(すずき):「はい、 一応(いちおう)...」
    Tanaka: ‘Have you gotten used to work?’ Suzuki: ‘Yes, more or less…’
  • 一応(いちおう)はよくなってるみたいですけど、また来週(らいしゅう)病院(びょういん)まで来(き)てください。
    For the time being, it seems like you are getting better, but please come to the hospital again next week.
Slow Male
Hide All
Hide Japanese
Hide English
何(なに)かテストする前(まえ)の、従業員(じゅうぎょういん)の間(あいだ)での話(はなし):「(そんなことには気(き)にしないと思(おも)うが)一応(いちおう)伝(つた)えておきます。」
Before testing something, a conversation between employees: "(I don’t think they really care, but) Just in case, I will tell them in advance."
Play  
ルームメイトの間(あいだ)での話(はなし):「facebook、アカウントは一応(いちおう)持(も)ってるけど、あまり使(つか)ってない。」
Chat between roommates: "I have a facebook account just in case, but I don’t use it much."
Play  
友達(ともだち)間(あいだ)での話(はなし):「彼(かれ)は私服(しふく)でいいと言(い)っていたけど、一応(いちおう)スーツを着(き)ていた。」
Conversation between friends: "He said that plain clothes are okay, but just in case, he wore a suit."
Play  
Online
Books
Tobira
Page 330