一応（いちおう）

About

一応いちおう is an adverb with two main usages:

• 

  用法ようほう①： "Just in case"

• 

  用法ようほう②： "More or less"; "Somewhat"; "Roughly"; "In a way".

For usage ①, 一応いちおう is often translated as "just in case; for the time being; just to be sure" or other similar English expressions.

E.g. もう知しっているとは思おもいますが、一応いちおう再度さいどお伝つたえします。 "I believe you already know, but just to be sure, I will tell you once more."

E.g. 一応いちおう聞きくけど、これ洗あらってあるよね？ "Just to check, this has been washed, right?"

For usage ②, "More or less"; "Somewhat"; "Roughly"; "In a way" are all common, but there are many other viable options as well.

E.g. 一応いちおうやったよ。 "I more or less did (something)."

E.g. 一応いちおう書かいてみたけど、送おくる前まえに確認かくにんしてくれる？ "I (kinda) wrote it, but could you take a look before I send it?"

For usage ②, 一応いちおう may also be used to make both humble statements, as well as to subtly brag. It may also be used to make denigrating "technically..." statements.

E.g. 一応いちおう、日常にちじょう会話かいわくらいは話はなせるよ。 "I can more or less have daily conversations."

E.g. あの人ひと、あれでも一応いちおう先生せんせいなんだって。 "I heard that person is technically a teacher, believe it or not."

一応いちおう is most commonly used in spoken Japanese, in both casual and polite contexts.

Summary

• 

  一応いちおう is an adverb with two main usages: 用法ようほう①： "Just in case"; 用法ようほう②： "More or less"; "Somewhat"; "Roughly"; "In a way"

• 

  一応いちおう is most commonly used in spoken Japanese, in both casual and polite contexts