HSK 7
万万
wàn wàn
万万 - Absolutely not, by no means
Explanation
"万万" (wàn wàn) is a mood adverb (an adverb expressing the attitude or nuance of the sentence) emphasizing an absolute degree, used almost exclusively in negative sentences; it means "absolutely (not)", "under no circumstances".
万万 (wàn wàn) + negative word (不能 bù néng "cannot", 不可 bù kě "must not", 不得 bù dé / …不得 "not permitted", 没想到 méi xiǎng dào "never expected").
when giving firm warnings or admonitions about something forbidden, dangerous, or absolutely to be avoided; or emphasizing something utterly unexpected beyond all anticipation (万万没想到 "never expected it to that extent").
"万万" is stronger and more absolute than "千万" (qiān wàn); "千万" can be used in everyday admonitions and can appear in imperative sentences, whereas "万万" is more formal and emphatic.
using "万万" in an affirmative sentence (wrong: 万万可以 — a negative must be used); using it for trivial matters, which exaggerates the tone excessively and does not fit the situation.
Examples
You must absolutely never leave the house with the gas on.
Things that break the law absolutely must not be done.
Practice
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Learn “万万” effectively
The grammar point “万万” (万万 - Absolutely not, by no means) is one of the key structures at HSK 7. To use it fluently, you need to understand the contexts where it's used and practice regularly.
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