Expressing "to make certain" with "qianwan"

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千万 (qiānwàn) looks like a number ("thousand ten thousand"?) but it actually means "to make certain." It is more common in the negative form, but is also used in the positive. It really adds a kick to your sentence!

Structure

千万 usually starts the imperative sentence or phrase, and it is usually paired with 要, 不能, 别 or similar types of words. You can use 千万 with sentences that are commanding someone not do do something, or you can tell them to do something.

千万 + Verb / Verb Phrase

千万 with "Don't"

The following examples use 千万 in the negative to strongly command someone not to do something.

Examples

  • 这 个 菜 很 难吃,千万 不要 点! Zhège cài hěn nánchī, qiānwàn bùyào diǎn! This dish is horrible. Make sure you don't order it!
  • 那里 太 危险 了,千万 不要 去! Nàlǐ tài wēixiǎn le, qiānwàn bùyào qù!It's too dangerous there. Whatever you do, don't go!
  • 他们 的 产品 是 假 的,你 千万 不要 买! Tāmen de chǎnpǐn shì jiǎ de, nǐ qiānwàn bùyào mǎi!Their products are fake. DO NOT buy them!
  • 他 不 是 什么 好人,千万 不要 相信 他! Tā bù shì shénme hǎorén, qiānwàn bùyào xiāngxìn tā!He is not a good person, you really can't believe him!
  • 孩子 有 错,父母 可以 教育 他, 但 千万 不 能 打 孩子。 Háizi yǒu cuò, fùmǔ kěyǐ jiàoyù tā, dàn qiānwàn bù néng dǎ háizi.When a child does wrong, parents can teach them. But they really mustn't beat them!

千万 with "Do"

The following examples use 千万 to strongly command someone to do something.

Examples

  • 过 马路 千万 小心。Guò mǎlù qiānwàn yào xiǎoxīn.When crossing the street, you really must careful!
  • 这 句 话 你 千万 记 在 心里。Zhè jù huà nǐ qiānwàn yào jì zài xīnlǐ.You must memorize this phrase by heart!
  • 一个人 去 旅行 千万 注意 安全。Yīgèrén qù lǚxíng qiānwàn yào zhùyì ānquán.When traveling alone, you really must pay attention to safety!
  • 出门 以前 千万 把 门 锁 好。Chūmén yǐqián qiānwàn yào bǎ mén suǒ hǎo.Before leaving make absolute sure to lock the door!
  • 雨天 路 滑, 千万 开 慢 点。Yǔtiān lù huá, qiānwàn yào kāi màn diǎn.The rain makes the road slick. You really must drive slowly!

See also

Sources and further reading

Books