Translation guide
The English phrase "depending on" is used to show that something changes according to circumstances. In Japanese, this is expressed through various particles, phrases, and verb forms that attach to nouns or clauses. The most common patterns are ～によって, ～次第で, and ～による, but the choice depends on formality, whether the result is a decision or a natural outcome, and the grammatical structure of the sentence.
Expressing that something varies or is determined by a factor. This is the most common and neutral usage.
Attaches to a noun. Indicates that something differs or changes according to that noun. Often used with verbs like 違う (differ) or 変わる (change). Can also mean 'by means of' or 'due to' in other contexts, but here it's 'depending on'.
人によって考え方が違います。
Ways of thinking differ depending on the person.
天気によって気分が変わります。
My mood changes depending on the weather.
Noun-modifying form of ～によって. Used before a noun to mean 'depending on ~'. Often seen in formal or written contexts.
季節による気温の変化
temperature changes depending on the season
場合による対応
response depending on the situation
Attaches to a noun. Emphasizes that the outcome is entirely contingent on that noun. Often used when the result is a decision or action that will be determined later. More subjective than ～によって.
努力次第で成功できる。
You can succeed depending on your effort.
結果次第で方針を決めます。
We will decide the policy depending on the results.
Attaches to a noun. Means 'in accordance with' or 'depending on', often implying a proportional or appropriate response. Common in business or formal settings.
収入に応じて税金が決まります。
Tax is determined depending on your income.
経験に応じて給料が上がります。
Salary increases depending on experience.
Similar to ～次第で but often used at the beginning of a sentence to set up a conditional 'depending on' scenario. Implies that if certain conditions are met, something may happen.
天気次第では、ピクニックに行くかもしれません。
Depending on the weather, we might go on a picnic.
Expressing that an outcome changes based on a condition or a choice. This often involves a clause with a verb or adjective.
Used after a clause ending in a plain form verb/adjective + かどうか. Literally 'depending on whether or not...'. Very common and natural.
明日雨が降るかどうかによって、予定が変わります。
Depending on whether it rains tomorrow, our plans will change.
彼が来るかどうかによって、席の数を決めます。
Depending on whether he comes, we'll decide the number of seats.
A common collocation meaning 'differs depending on'. The ～ part can be a noun or a clause with か.
国によって習慣が違います。
Customs differ depending on the country.
Used after a noun or verb stem to mean 'as soon as' or 'depending on'. When used as 'depending on', it often appears in set phrases like 場合次第 (depending on the case).
状況次第で対応を考えます。
We will consider our response depending on the situation.
The common conversational reply 'It depends.' or 'That depends.'
Literally 'depends on the case'. A very natural, slightly formal way to say 'It depends.'
A: いつも電車で行きますか？ B: 場合によります。
A: Do you always go by train? B: It depends.
More emphatic: 'It depends on the time and situation.'
時と場合によるね。
It depends on the time and situation, you know.
Polite and common: 'It depends on the situation.'
状況次第ですね。
It depends on the situation, doesn't it?
Adding それは (as for that) makes it more specific: 'That depends on the case.'
それは場合によるよ。
That depends.
Both mean 'depending on', but ～によって is more objective and descriptive, while ～次第で implies a decision or action that will be made based on the condition. ～次第で often carries a nuance of 'it's up to ~'.
天気によって気分が変わる。
Mood changes depending on the weather. (natural phenomenon)
天気次第で出かけるか決める。
I'll decide whether to go out depending on the weather. (decision)
The verb 依存する means 'to depend on' in the sense of reliance or addiction (e.g., depend on drugs, depend on parents). Do not use it for 'depending on' in the sense of 'varying according to'. That would be unnatural.
彼は親に依存している。
He depends on his parents. (reliance)
Adding は to ～によって (～によっては) adds a nuance of 'in some cases' or 'depending on the specific...'. It's often used when the outcome might be different from the norm.
人によっては、納豆が嫌いな人もいます。
Depending on the person, some people dislike natto.
値段は季節によって変わります。
Prices vary depending on the season.
結果次第では、アプローチを変えるかもしれません。
Depending on the results, we may change our approach.
見方によります。
It depends on how you look at it.