"If" StatementsHSK 5
Expressing 'what if' with 万一
The word 万一 (wànyī) means 'what if' or 'in case,' used to express a remote but possible negative scenario. You can place it before or after the subject, and it's often paired with 呢 or 怎么办 at the end to form a rhetorical question. The most common mistake is forgetting to use 呢 or 怎么办 when asking about a hypothetical situation.
구조
万一 + [situation] + 怎么办 ？
万一 can appear before or after the subject
万一 + [situation] + 呢 ？
alternative pattern, same meaning
예문
- 万一我父母不同意呢？Wàn yī wǒ fù mǔ bù tóng yì ne?What if my parents disapprove?
- 万一被发现了怎么办？Wàn yī bèi fā xiàn le zěn me bàn?What if we get caught?
- 带着伞吧，万一下雨呢？Dài zhe sǎn ba, wàn yī xià yǔ ne?Take an umbrella. What if it rains?
- 你先打电话问问。他万一不在呢？Nǐ xiān dǎ diàn huà wèn wèn. tā wàn yī bú zài ne?You should call first. What if he's not there?
- 开慢点！万一撞到人怎么办？Kāi màn diǎn! wàn yī zhuàng dào rén zěn me bàn?Drive more slowly! What if you hit someone?