一応(いちおう) ①Just in case, Just to be sure

Structure

一応(いちおう) + Phrase

Details

About 一応 ①

When used as an adverb, 一応(いちおう) can often carry the nuance of (A) not being perfect, but the minimum required in order to prevent (B). This particular nuance of 一応(いちおう) may be interpreted as 'just in case, (A)', or 'just to be sure (A)'.

When 一応(いちおう) is used this way, it frequently highlights that (B) happening is unlikely, but the precautionary measure of (A) might be a good idea to avoid it. This is in contrast to another common use of 一応(いちおう) which can be translated as 'more or less', or 'for the time being'. However, in both of its uses, it simply indicates the minimum amount of (A) which is fulfilling some requirement.

Synonyms

Examples

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「一応(いちおう)夜道(よみち)だから、気(き)をつけてね。それじゃまた明日(あした)。」

'Just in case, be careful since you are walking at night. Alright, I'll see you tomorrow.'

ルームメイトの間(あいだ)での話(はなし)：「Facebookアカウントは一応(いちおう)持(も)ってるけど、あまり使(つか)ってない。」

Chat between roommates: 'I have a facebook account just in case, but I don't use it much.'

教師(きょうし)が生徒(せいと)に：「ハサミが必要(ひつよう)になるかは分(わ)かりませんが、一応(いちおう)持(も)ってきてください。」

Teacher to students: 'I do not know if scissors will be necessary, but just in case, please bring some.'

友達(ともだち)は助言(じょげん)する：「引越(ひっこ)ししたら、一応(いちおう)、隣近所(となりきんじょ)に挨拶(あいさつ)しないとね。」

A friend is giving advice: 'If you move, just in case, greet the neighbors.'

友達(ともだち)の間(あいだ)での話(はなし)：「このスマホは充電(じゅうでん)してあるけど、一応(いちおう)モバイルバッテリーも持(も)ってきた。」

Chat between friends: 'This phone is already charged, but just in case, I also brought a power bank.'

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一応 ① – Grammar Discussion

Most Recent Replies (6 in total)

rururun
I have a question about 一応 and 万が一. They can be translated as “just in case” but there is another similar phrase which is 念の為.

Is 念の為 commonly used? I use it very often but I don’t remember where I learned this and I’m not sure how commonly it is used. Should I cast it to the side in favor of 一応 and 万一 or should I keep it in my arsenal and keep using it together with these two?
Fuga
Hey @rururun !

念の為 is used very commonly! The key difference is that 念の為 is slightly more polite sounding than 一応. This means that you can use 念の為 to people in a higher position than you are, but you can’t use 一応 due to the difference in nuance.However, in casual conversations, 一応 and 念の為 could be used interchangeably!

So, keep it in your arsenal and keep using it!

Hope that answers your question!
rururun
Thanks!