一応
Ichiou
いちおう
Means 'not perfectly, but for now' or 'just to be safe.' Reflects the Japanese tendency to avoid making definitive statements. 'Ichiou kakunin shita' = 'I checked, but I'm not 100% sure.' 'Ichiou motte iku' = 'I'll bring it just in case.' Also used for false modesty — 'ichiou Toudai desu' means 'well, I went to Tokyo University' (implying there are better people out there, while casually dropping Japan's most prestigious university).
Examples
一応勉強はしたけど、テスト自信ないわ
I sort of studied, but I'm not confident about the test.
Talking to a friend before an exam — studied but not thoroughly
傘、一応持っていった方がいいかも
Maybe bring an umbrella, just in case.
Family conversation before going out
一応聞いてみるけど、たぶん無理だと思う
I'll ask just in case, but it's probably not going to work.
どこの大学出身？→ 一応東大です。※東大は日本で一番入るのが難しい大学。
What university did you go to? — Well, Tokyo University, I guess. *Tokyo University is the hardest university to get into in Japan.