千万

• Pinyin: qiān wàn
• Hanzi breakdown: 千 = 十 (ten) + 一 stroke, representing a large number; 万 = simplified from 萬, originally a scorpion pictograph repurposed for ten thousand

Meaning

By all means; absolutely must; whatever you do. An emphatic adverb used to stress the importance of doing or not doing something.

Most commonly used before a negative (千万别/不要) to give urgent warnings or strong advice. Can also be used positively (千万要记住). As a number, 千万 literally means ten million, but its adverbial use is far more common in daily speech. Carries a tone of urgency and concern.

Examples

1. 出门的时候千万别忘了带钥匙。 Whatever you do, don't forget to bring your keys when you go out.
2. 这件事你千万不要告诉别人。 You absolutely must not tell anyone about this.
3. 考试的时候千万要仔细看题目。 During the exam, make sure you read the questions carefully.

Usage Guide

Context: warnings, advice, reminders

Tone: urgent

Do Say

• 你千万别迟到，老板今天心情不好。(Whatever you do, don't be late — the boss is in a bad mood today.)
• 千万要注意安全。(You absolutely must pay attention to safety.)

Don't Say

• 千万谢谢你。(Don't use 千万 to intensify thanks — it is used for warnings and strong advice, not gratitude. Say 非常感谢 instead.)

Origin & History

千 means thousand and 万 means ten thousand. The literal meaning is ten million, suggesting an extreme degree. The adverbial sense comes from this idea of emphasis — urging something with the weight of ten million reasons.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal