GRAMMAR
万が一
in the unlikely event
Explanation
NOTE
万が一 means in the unlikely event or by any chance — used for rare hypotheticals.
万が一地震が来たら、すぐ逃げてください。
In the unlikely event an earthquake comes, please escape immediately.
Placed at the start of the hypothetical clause.
NOTE
It signals an event the speaker thinks is very unlikely but still wants to prepare for.
NOTE
Typically pairs with conditional forms like 〜たら or 〜ば in the following clause.
STRUCTURE
万が一 ...Vた
ら /Vば万が一失敗したら、もう一度挑戦しよう。
Man ga ichi shippai shitara, mou ichido chousen shiyou.
In the unlikely event you fail, let's try once more.
万が一火事になれば、この階段を使ってください。
Man ga ichi kaji ni nareba, kono kaidan o tsukatte kudasai.
In the unlikely event there is a fire, please use these stairs.
万が一遅れたら、すぐ連絡してね。
Man ga ichi okuretara, sugu renraku shite ne.
By any chance if you're late, contact me right away.
Practice exercises
1
万が一、問題さえなければ、すぐに終わる。
In the unlikely event that there are no problems, it will finish quickly.
Answer
万が一
2
万が一、戻れるものなら、やり直したい。
In the unlikely event that I could go back, I'd want to redo it.
Answer
万が一
3
万が一、彼が来ないとしたら、どうすればいい？
In the unlikely event that he doesn't come, what should we do?
Answer
万が一
4
万が一の事態に備え、準備が必要だ。
In preparation for an unlikely event, preparations are necessary.
Answer
万が一
5
万が一、計画が失敗しても、代替案がある。
In the unlikely event that the plan fails, there is an alternative plan.
Answer
万が一