万一(まんいち)

まんいち
adverb / noun
by some chance, in the unlikely event
1. by some chance, if by any chance
Indicates an unlikely but possible scenario.
万一(まんいち)雨(あめ)が降(ふ)ったら中止(ちゅうし)です。
If by any chance it rains, it will be canceled.
万一(まんいち)遅(おく)れる場合(ばあい)は連絡(れんらく)してください。
Please contact us if by any chance you're going to be late.
万一(まんいち)火事(かじ)が起(お)きたら、すぐに逃(に)げてください。
In the unlikely event of a fire, please evacuate immediately.
2. one in ten thousand, remote possibility
As a noun, refers to a very unlikely chance or emergency.
万一(まんいち)に備(そな)えて保険(ほけん)に入(はい)った。
I got insurance in case of emergency.
万一(まんいち)のことがあったら、この番号(ばんごう)に電話(でんわ)してください。
If anything happens, please call this number.
万一(まんいち)のこと = emergency, worst case
万一(まんいち)の場合(ばあい)に備(そな)えて、非常(ひじょう)持(も)ち出(だ)し袋(ぶくろ)を用意(ようい)してておこう。
Let's prepare an emergency bag in case of the worst.

Literally means "one in ten thousand" (万(まん) = 10,000, 一(いち) = 1), suggesting very low probability.

COMMON PATTERNS:

  • 万一(まんいち)〜たら/〜ば (if by any chance ~)
  • 万一(まんいち)の場合(ばあい) (in the unlikely event)
  • 万一(まんいち)のこと (emergency, worst case scenario)
  • 万一(まんいち)に備(そな)えて (in preparation for emergencies)

SIMILAR EXPRESSIONS:

  • もし〜たら (if - general)
  • もしも〜たら (if - emphatic)
  • 万一(まんいち)〜たら (if by some unlikely chance)
general
Added 2026.1.12 21:48 · Revised 2026.5.27 23:10
03500/03740_manichi