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'.
Ways of thinking differ depending on the person.
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.
temperature changes depending on the season
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.
You can succeed depending on your effort.
Attaches to a noun. Means 'in accordance with' or 'depending on', often implying a proportional or appropriate response. Common in business or formal settings.
Tax is determined depending on your income.
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.
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.
Depending on whether it rains tomorrow, our plans will change.
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.
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).
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: Do you always go by train? B: It depends.
More emphatic: 'It depends on the time and situation.'
It depends on the time and situation, you know.
Polite and common: 'It depends on the situation.'
It depends on the situation, doesn't it?
Adding それは (as for that) makes it more specific: 'That depends on the case.'
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 ~'.
Mood changes depending on the weather. (natural phenomenon)
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.
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.
Depending on the person, some people dislike natto.
Prices vary depending on the season.
Depending on the results, we may change our approach.
It depends on how you look at it.
場合による対応
response depending on the situation
We will decide the policy depending on the results.
Salary increases depending on experience.
Depending on the weather, we might go on a picnic.