万万
absolutely not; never (only with a negative)
Structure
万万 不／不能／不可／没想到 …
What it means
“Absolutely not, never”: a stronger, more serious 千万, used only before a negative.
How it is built
万万 + 不／不能／不可／没想到: 给老人送礼，万万不能送钟 (never give an older person a clock). 万万没想到 = never expected.
When to use it
For serious warnings and strong surprise. 千万 can also urge something positive (千万要小心); 万万 cannot. In 万万没想到, 千万 cannot replace it.
Watch out
Never use 万万 without a negative: ✗ 万万要小心。 ✓ 千万要小心。
Examples
给老人送礼，万万不能送钟。
Whatever you give an older person, it must never be a clock.
我万万没想到，一把伞会让她不高兴。
I never imagined an umbrella would upset her.
这种药万万不可和酒一起吃。
This medicine must on no account be taken with alcohol.
Learn this in Lesson 37 · HSK 5–6: 讨个吉利 (Lucky numbers and lucky words)
A dialogue, a reading, word cards with audio and a drill that uses it, in Learn Chinese with Bao. The first lessons of every level are free.
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