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How to say “what if” in Chinese with 万一 (wànyī)

万一 (wànyī) + (Undesirable) Condition + 怎么办 (zěnme bàn)？

Expressing "what if" with "万一 (wànyī)"

HSK 5"If" Statements

Rule structure

万一 (wànyī) expresses "what if, just in case". It introduces an unlikely but possible (often negative) contingency.

Examples

万一他不同意怎么办？

Wànyī tā bù tóngyì zěnme bàn?

What if he doesn’t agree?

Practice

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Frequently asked questions

How do you express “Expressing "what if" with "万一 (wànyī)"” in Chinese?

Use the structure: 万一 (wànyī) + (Undesirable) Condition + 怎么办 (zěnme bàn)？. For example: 万一他不同意怎么办？ — “What if he doesn’t agree?”.

What is an example sentence with this grammar rule?

万一他不同意怎么办？ — “What if he doesn’t agree?”.

Which HSK level includes this grammar rule?

This grammar rule is part of HSK 5.

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More HSK 5 grammar rules

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Expressing "if… then…" with "假如 (jiǎrú)"

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Complement "-坏了 (huàile)"

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Expressing "even if…" with "就是 (jiùshì)"

就是 (jiùshì)⋯⋯，也 (yě)⋯⋯

Continuing state with "还 (hái)…呢 (ne)"

Subj. + 还 (hái) + Predicate + 呢 (ne)

Expressing "related to…" with "有关的 (yǒuguān de)"

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Adjectival complement "得很 (de hěn)"

Adj. + 得很 (de hěn)

Expressing "how about" with "要不 (yàobù)"

要不 (yàobù) + Suggestion / Option