noun
depending on the answer; hinging on the reply
Used to indicate that a decision or action will be determined by the response received. Often appears in formal or business contexts.
参加できるかどうかは、先方の返答次第です。
Whether I can participate depends on their reply.
返答次第では、計画を変更する必要がある。
Depending on the answer, we may need to change the plan.
A suffix meaning 'depending on' or 'as soon as'. 返答次第 is a specific compound using this suffix.
Compound of 返答 (reply) and 次第 (depending on).