Grammar Info

N2 Lesson 1: 14/23

万(まん)が一(いち)

Just in case, In the worst-case scenario, In the unlikely event, By any chance

Can have a negative connotation

Structure

万(まん)（が）一(いち) + Phrase

Details

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About 万が一

万(まん)が一(いち), or sometimes simply 万一(まんいち) is a grammar pattern that literally means '1 in 10000'. It is used in a similar way to phrases such as 'in the unlikely event of (A)', or 'just in case (A)' in English, and will usually highlight some measure against (A), or what will happen as a result of (A) in the latter half of the sentence.

万(まん)が一(いち) is primarily used adverbially, so will often come at the beginning of sentences.

Fun-fact

万(まん)が一(いち) is considered slightly stronger than 万一(まんいち), but 万(まん)が一(いち) is far more common due to it being easier to pronounce.

  • 万(まん)が一(いち)の時(とき)のためにメールアドレスも教(おし)えていただいてもよろしいでしょうか。
    Can I possibly have your email address too just in case.
  • 万一(まんいち)分(わ)からないことがあれば、何(なん)でも私(わたし)に聞(き)いてください。
    If by chance, there is something you don't understand, you can ask me anything.

Examples

--:--

    万(まん)が一(いち)のことがあったら、お祖母(ばあ)さんの家(いえ)に子(こ)どもを預(あず)けることになっている。

    If an unlikely event happens, it has been decided that the children will be entrusted to grandmother.

    万(まん)が一(いち)、宝(たから)くじが当(あ)たったら、世界(せかい)一周(いっしゅう)旅行(りょこう)をしようと思(おも)う。

    By any chance, if I win the lottery, I shall go on a round-the-world trip.

    万(まん)が一(いち)のために、消火器(しょうかき)を買(か)うことにした。

    I decided to buy a fire extinguisher, just in case.
    (in the unlikely event...)

    万(まん)が一(いち)思(おも)いついたら、アイデアを教(おし)えてください。

    Just in case you think of something, please tell me your idea.
    (in the unlikely event...)

    万(まん)が一(いち)熊(くま)の足跡(あしあと)を見(み)つけた場合(ばあい)は、連絡(れんらく)してください。

    Just in case you should find bear tracks, please let me know.
    (in the unlikely event...)

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      万が一 – Grammar Discussion

      Most Recent Replies (3 in total)

      • Brand_S

        Brand_S

        I’ve noticed that 万一 often appears in the phrase 万一に備える, to mean to provide against contingencies. Is that true of 万が一 as well?

      • Fuga

        Fuga

        Hey there!

        万一 is just a short 万が一 with the が omitted, so both would work with that phrase! I hope that answers your question!

      • Brand_S

        Brand_S

        It does! Thank you! I’ve actually only ever seen 万一に備える in the wild. I didn’t know until I saw that grammar item that 万一 was still used in other contexts!

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