指可能發生但不確定的事件或情況，通常需要預先規劃應對方案。
可能事件
EN: a future event or circumstance that is possible but cannot be predicted with certainty
翻譯: 未來可能發生但無法確定的事件或情況
應變計畫
EN: a plan or preparation for dealing with such a possible event
翻譯: 為應對此類可能事件而制定的計畫或準備
偶然性
EN: the quality of being contingent on something else; dependence on chance or unforeseen conditions
翻譯: 取決於其他事物的性質；依賴於偶然或未預見的條件
緊急預備金
EN: a sum of money or resources set aside for unforeseen needs or emergencies
翻譯: 為未預見的需求或緊急情況預留的一筆資金或資源
小提醒：注意 'contingency' 與 'emergency' 的區別：前者強調「可能性」與「預先準備」，後者則指已發生的「緊急狀況」。
點擊下方的 US / UK 按鈕可播放發音。
Real-life Examples of "Contingency" from YouTube Videos
Drew Curtis: How I beat a patent troll
TED
“It turns out because they're paid on contingency. it works really really well in reverse.”
1. a future event or circumstance that is possible but cannot be predicted with certainty
可能發生但無法確切預測的未來事件或情況
We need to prepare for every possible contingency.
我們需要為每一種可能發生的意外情況做好準備。
The contract includes a clause to cover unforeseen contingencies.
合約中包含一條條款，以涵蓋未預見到的突發狀況。
2. a provision for such an event or circumstance; a backup plan
為此類事件或情況所做的準備；備用計劃
The team developed a contingency in case the main system failed.
團隊制定了一個應變計劃，以防主系統故障。
Part of the budget is held as a contingency fund.
部分預算被留作應急基金。
3. the condition of being dependent on chance or uncertain events
依賴於機會或不確定事件的狀態
The success of the mission was fraught with contingency.
任務的成功充滿了不確定性。
His philosophical work explores the role of contingency in human history.
他的哲學著作探討了偶然性在人類歷史中的作用。
| Pattern | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| contingency + for + noun | 為…做的準備 | The company has a contingency for a sudden market crash. (公司為市場突然崩盤做了準備。) |
| contingency + against + noun | 防範…的措施 | We need a contingency against possible cyber attacks. (我們需要一個防範可能網路攻擊的措施。) |
| contingency + on + noun/gerund | 取決於…的意外情況 | The success of the mission is a contingency on the weather conditions. (任務的成功取決於天氣條件這個變數。) |
| contingency + plan | 應變計畫 | Every household should have a contingency plan for natural disasters. (每個家庭都應該有一個應對自然災害的應變計畫。) |
| in case of + a contingency | 萬一發生意外情況 | In case of a contingency, follow the emergency procedures. (萬一發生意外情況，請遵循緊急程序。) |
| prepare for + every contingency | 為各種可能情況做準備 | A good leader prepares for every contingency. (一位好的領導者會為各種可能情況做準備。) |
EN:Good financial management involves planning for various contingencies, such as market crashes or sudden expenses.
翻譯:良好的財務管理包括為各種突發狀況（如市場崩盤或意外開支）預做規劃。
在大多數情況下，直接使用複合名詞 "contingency plan" 來指稱已制定的備案計畫是最清晰且專業的選擇。
contingency vs possibility
「contingency」強調依賴特定條件才可能發生的未來事件，通常帶有應變計畫的意味；「possibility」則泛指任何可能發生的事，範圍較廣且不必然有應對措施。
contingency vs emergency
「contingency」指為潛在但尚未發生的意外情況所做的預先規劃；「emergency」則指已經發生、需要立即處理的緊急事件或危機。
contingency vs eventuality
兩者皆指可能發生的事件，但「contingency」更強調其依賴特定條件及預先規劃的性質；「eventuality」則較中性，泛指任何最終可能出現的結果。
在對話中，當引述或轉述他人的計畫、安排或擔憂時，常用此字來表示「萬一」的情況。 EN: She said we should have a backup plan in case of any contingency. 翻譯: 她說我們應該有個備用計畫，以防任何突發狀況。
EN:He mentioned the contingency of bad weather and suggested we bring rain gear.
翻譯:他提到了天氣不佳的可能性，並建議我們帶上雨具。
用於強調某件事是「有條件的」或「取決於」其他因素，使語氣聽起來更謹慎、周全。 EN: I'll come to the party, but it's contingent on finishing my work. 翻譯: 我會去參加派對，但這取決於我能否完成工作。
EN:Our agreement is full of contingencies, so nothing is set in stone yet.
翻譯:我們的協議充滿了附帶條件，所以一切都還沒定案。
在較正式的對話或思考時，用作填充詞，引導出一個假設性的情況或額外考量。 EN: Well, the plan looks good. Contingency... what if the main speaker cancels? 翻譯: 嗯，計畫看起來不錯。至於突發狀況…萬一主講人取消了呢？
EN:We've covered the main points. Now, as a contingency, we should also consider a budget overrun.
翻譯:我們已經涵蓋了主要重點。現在，作為一個應變措施，我們也應該考慮預算超支的可能性。
注意：在正式書寫（如報告、論文）中，應避免將 "contingency" 用作口語中的停頓填充詞。請保持其作為正式名詞（如「應變計畫」、「意外事件」）的用法，以確保文體的嚴謹性。
contingency plan
noun phrase
應變計畫
contingency fund
noun phrase
應急基金；預備金
contingency fee
noun phrase
勝訴酬金；風險代理費
plan for every contingency
verb phrase
為各種可能情況做計畫
contingency arrangement
noun phrase
應變安排
contingency theory
noun phrase
權變理論
as a contingency
prepositional phrase
作為一種應變措施
×We need to plan for every contingency.
✓We need to plan for every contingency.
The word 'contingency' is often misspelled as 'contingency' by learners. The correct spelling has 'g' before 'ency'.
×We made a contingency plan for if the weather is bad.
✓We made a contingency plan in case the weather is bad.
Using 'for if' is redundant and awkward. The standard phrasing is 'in case' or simply 'for' followed by a noun (e.g., 'for bad weather').
×The success of the project is a contingency of market conditions.
✓The success of the project is contingent on market conditions.
'Contingency' is a noun meaning a future event or circumstance. The adjective form 'contingent on/upon' should be used to describe dependence.
×We have a contingency for that situation.
✓We have a contingency plan for that situation.
While 'contingency' can sometimes stand alone (e.g., 'plan for every contingency'), it is often more natural and clear to use it as part of a compound noun like 'contingency plan', 'contingency fund', or 'contingency measure'.
×This is just a small contingency.
✓This is just a minor contingency.
The adjective 'small' is less commonly used with 'contingency'. More typical collocations are 'minor contingency', 'unforeseen contingency', or 'major contingency'.