いかんdepends on; regardless of
いかん is the stiff, official word for "how it turns out" or "what it is", and what follows it decides the meaning. It belongs to rules, contracts and official statements: a word to read, not one to say.
depends on
Whether the negotiations succeed depends on the efforts of both sides.
depending on how it goes
Depending on the weather on the day, the ceremony may be canceled.
regardless of
Absence without notice is not permitted, whatever the reason.
How to form it
Noun（の）+ いかん
The noun is something that can come out more than one way: 結果, 理由, 対応, 成否. の can go in or stay out. Contracts often write it 如何.
Which いかん is it?
| After いかん | It means | Like this |
|---|---|---|
| だ, で, によって, にかかっている | Depends on | 合否は |
| では, によっては | Depending on how it goes, … may happen | 今後の |
| にかかわらず, によらず, を問わず | Regardless of | 理由の |
いかんだ・いかんで・いかんによって: depends on
The official twin of 次第だ: one thing settles how another comes out. Reports, policy papers and prepared speeches put it this way. Anywhere else it is 次第.
The amount of support is determined by the result of the review.
An official notice.
The amount of support depends on the result of the review.
The same, in ordinary words.
Whether the damage can be kept from spreading depends on the initial response.
It also comes with にかかっている: 成否は今後の努力いかんにかかっている, "whether it succeeds hangs on the effort from here on".
いかんでは・いかんによっては: depending on how it goes
は picks out one way things may go, so the sentence usually ends in a "may": ことがある, 場合がある, 可能性がある. Official warnings talk this way; people say 次第では or によっては.
Depending on the result of the review, the license may be revoked.
Depending on how the matter is handled from here on, strict disciplinary action may be taken.
いかんにかかわらず・いかんによらず・いかんを問わず: regardless of
However it turns out, the rule stands. The three mean the same and belong to rules, contracts and terms of use, where 理由のいかんを問わず is the one you will meet most. Without いかん they are the plainer にかかわらず and を問わず. Out loud it is 理由に関係なく or どんな理由でも.
Submitted documents will not be returned, whatever the result of the screening.
Anyone may apply for this scholarship regardless of nationality.
Reproducing this material without permission is prohibited, whatever the purpose.
Set phrases
The same word is in いかんともしがたい, "nothing can be done about it", and いかんせん, "unfortunately" (いかんせん時間がない).
Close neighbours
次第N2
The same "depends on" in ordinary words, at home in conversation too.
Whether you go is up to you.
にかかっているN1
"Hinges on", spoken and written: a lot is riding on one thing.
The company's future hinges on the new president's judgment.
にかかわらずN2
"Regardless of" without いかん, in rules, notices and announcements.
The event will go ahead as planned, whatever the weather.
を問わずN2
The same after a noun, as job adverts, rules and notices word it.
This program is available regardless of age.
Check yourself
1What does this mean?
今後の
Choose an answer to see why.
2Which one fits?
学歴の
Choose an answer to see why.
3A friend asks whether you are coming to the barbecue on Sunday. Which would you say?
Choose an answer to see why.
More sentences
depends on
Whether this plan is approved depends on the result of the review.
depending on how it goes
Depending on how the negotiations go, the summit may be postponed.
regardless of
The prescribed report shall be submitted regardless of the cause of the accident.
regardless of
This information session will be held as scheduled, however many people attend.
regardless of
The same safety standards apply to all staff, whatever their type of employment.