Japanese Grammar: It depends on... (~次第だ / shidai da)
~次第だ to identify the single most important factor that decides a final result or outcome.
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Use {次第|しだい}だ to express that the outcome of a situation is determined by a specific factor.
- Attach to a noun: Noun + {次第|しだい}だ (e.g., {天気|てんき}次第だ).
- Attach to a verb stem: Verb-stem + {次第|しだい}だ (e.g., {行|い}く次第だ).
- It implies 'it is up to' or 'it depends on'.
Overview
In Japanese, expressing that an outcome hinges on a single, pivotal factor is handled with the B2-level grammar pattern ~次第だ (~shidai da). While English uses the broad phrase "it depends on," ~次第だ is more precise. It pinpoints the one specific condition or variable that will ultimately determine the result of a situation.
This grammar isolates the 'make-or-break' element, conveying a strong sense of direct causality.
The core structure attaches the suffix 次第 directly to a noun, as in 結果は努力次第だ ({kekka wa doryoku shidai da} | The result depends on your effort). This construction implies that effort is the primary, if not sole, determinant of the outcome. You will encounter this pattern frequently in formal settings like business negotiations and academic reports, where its objective and logical nuance is valued.
However, it is also fully integrated into everyday adult conversations for discussing plans and decisions, making it an essential tool for expressing conditionality with precision.
Understanding ~次第だ is about more than just translation; it's about grasping a specific way of framing cause and effect in Japanese. It moves beyond mere possibility and establishes a clear, dependent relationship between a key factor (the noun) and a future event. This guide will explore its formation, its precise nuances, and how it contrasts with other similar-looking but functionally different grammatical patterns.
How This Grammar Works
~次第だ comes from the origin of the word 次第 itself. While its kanji, 次 (next) and 第 (order, sequence), are common, the word historically relates to 事第 ({shidai} | order of things). This historical root provides a crucial insight: the grammar frames a situation as a logical sequence where the noun it attaches to is the first 'order' of business—the primary condition that must be settled before any subsequent result can be realized.~次第だ feels so decisive. It implies that other potential factors are secondary or have already been resolved. When a speaker uses this pattern, they are signaling that the entire outcome pivots on this single variable.契約の更新は、来月の業績次第です ({keiyaku no kōshin wa, raigetsu no gyōseki shidai desu} | The contract renewal depends on next month's business performance), the speaker is explicitly stating that performance is the sole criterion being considered. Other factors like relationships or past history are being set aside.天気次第 ({tenki shidai} | depends on the weather) or 運次第 ({un shidai} | depends on luck). Conversely, it can place responsibility squarely on an individual, as in the very common phrase あなた次第 ({anata shidai} | it's up to you).~次第だ serves not just to state a condition, but also to define the nature of that condition—whether it is a matter of chance, external circumstances, or personal agency.Word Order Rules
~次第だ is strict and direct, which makes it relatively easy to construct once you learn the core rules. The most important rule is that 次第 attaches directly to a noun without any intervening particles.Noun + 次第だ (plain form) or Noun + 次第です (polite form).週末の予定は、気分次第だ。({shūmatsu no yotei wa, kibun shidai da} | My weekend plans depend on my mood.)昇進できるかどうかは、あなたの成果次第です。({shōshin dekiru ka dō ka wa, anata no seika shidai desu} | Whether you can get promoted depends on your results.)
~次第で):で form. Noun + 次第で acts as an adverbial phrase, linking the deciding factor to its consequence in the next part of the sentence.考え方次第で、人生はもっと楽しくなる。({kangaekata shidai de, jinsei wa motto tanoshiku naru} | Depending on your way of thinking, life can become more enjoyable.)料金プラン次第で、利用できるサービスが変わります。({ryōkin puran shidai de, riyō dekiru sābisu ga kawarimasu} | The available services change depending on the price plan.)
~次第では):~次第では adds a layer of nuance. It focuses on a specific potential outcome among several possibilities, often one that is particularly significant or negative. It translates closely to "in the case that it depends on X..." or "depending on the specific X..."検査の結果次第では、入院が必要になるかもしれません。({kensa no kekka shidai de wa, nyūin ga hitsuyō ni naru kamoshiremasen} | Depending on the test results, hospitalization might become necessary.) Here, theではhighlights the serious possibility of hospitalization.彼の協力が得られるかどうか次第では、プロジェクトの運命が決まる。({kare no kyōryoku ga erareru ka dō ka shidai de wa, purojekuto no unmei ga kimaru} | The fate of the project will be decided depending on whether we can get his cooperation.)
次第. This is a common mistake for learners.天気次第だ | ✗ 天気の次第だ | 次第 acts as a suffix, not a separate noun requiring の. |実力次第だ | ✗ 実力が次第だ | The noun is the topic or object of the main clause, not the subject of 次第. |Formation Pattern
~次第だ attaches primarily to nouns. To use it with verbs or adjectives, you must first transform them into a noun or a noun phrase. This process is called nominalization.
次第だ | Plain | 明日の会議がどうなるかは、部長の機嫌次第だ。 ({...buchō no kigen shidai da} | What happens in tomorrow's meeting depends on the department head's mood.) |
次第です | Polite | 飛行機が時間通りに着くかは、天候次第です。 ({...tenkō shidai desu} | Whether the plane arrives on time depends on the weather conditions.) |
次第でございます | Very Formal (Humble) | すべては社長のご決断次第でございます。 ({...shachō no go-ketsudan shidai de gozaimasu} | Everything depends on the president's decision.) |
[Verb (dictionary form)] + かどうか + 次第だ.
大学院に進学するかどうかは、奨学金がもらえるかどうか次第だ。 ({...shōgakukin ga moraeru ka dō ka shidai da} | Whether I go to graduate school depends on whether I can get a scholarship.)
い to さ to create a noun representing the degree or quality of the adjective.
この山の登りやすさは、道の険しさ次第です。 ({...michi no kewashisa shidai desu} | The ease of climbing this mountain depends on the steepness of the path.)
✗ 忙しい次第だ → ✓ 忙しさ次第だ ({isogashisa shidai da} | It depends on the level of busyness.)
さ (less common) or use the 〜かどうか pattern.
プロジェクトの成功は、計画が現実的かどうか次第だ。 ({...keikaku ga genjitsuteki ka dō ka shidai da} | The project's success depends on whether the plan is realistic.)
次第で | States a general dependency | 努力次第で、不可能も可能になる。 ({doryoku shidai de, fukanō mo kanō ni naru} | Depending on your effort, even the impossible becomes possible.) |
次第では | Highlights a specific potential outcome | 条件次第では、このオファーをお断りすることもあります。 ({jōken shidai de wa, kono ofā o okotowari suru koto mo arimasu} | Depending on the conditions, we may have to refuse this offer.) |
When To Use It
~次第だ is versatile, appearing in a wide range of contexts from corporate boardrooms to casual text messages among friends.- Formal and Business Settings: Its objective, logical tone makes it perfect for negotiations, reports, and formal communication. It clarifies conditions without adding emotional language.
- Email:
納品日につきましては、原材料の到着次第、改めてご連絡いたします。({nōhinbi ni tsukimashite wa, genzairyō no tōchaku shidai, aratamete go-renraku itashimasu} | Regarding the delivery date, we will contact you again as soon as the raw materials arrive. Note: this uses the V-stem+次第 form, but the noun form is also common in business. A better example:価格は発注量次第でご相談に応じます。({kakaku wa hatchūryō shidai de go-sōdan ni ōjimasu} | We can negotiate the price depending on the order quantity.)
- Giving Advice or Placing Responsibility: The pattern is frequently used to empower or challenge someone. It highlights their agency in a situation.
このチャンスを活かせるかどうかは、君のやる気次第だ。({kono chansu o ikaseru ka dō ka wa, kimi no yaruki shidai da} | Whether you can make use of this opportunity depends on your motivation.)
- Discussing Personal Plans and Decisions: In everyday life, it's used to state the one factor holding up a decision.
A: 今夜、飲みに行かない？({kon'ya, nomi ni ikanai?} | Wanna go for a drink tonight?)B: うーん、仕事の終わり時間次第かな。また連絡するよ。({uun, shigoto no owari jikan shidai kana. mata renraku suru yo} | Hmm, depends on what time I finish work. I'll let you know.)
- Analyzing Situations with a Key Variable: It's common in commentary and analysis (news, sports) to identify the pivotal element.
試合の勝敗は、エースピッチャーの調子次第だろう。({shiai no shōhai wa, ēsu pitchā no chōshi shidai darō} | The outcome of the game will likely depend on the condition of the ace pitcher.)
- Modern Casual Usage (Social Media, Texts):
週末の神ゲーライフは、回線の速度次第。({shūmatsu no kami gē raifu wa, kaisen no sokudo shidai} | My epic weekend gaming life depends on my internet speed.)
Common Mistakes
~次第だ. Being aware of these common errors can help you avoid them.Noun + 次第 with V-stem + 次第:結果次第 ({kekka shidai} | Depends on the result) |結果が出次第 ({kekka ga de shidai} | As soon as the result is out) |- Mistake:
会議が始まり次第、参加します。This sentence is grammatically correct and means "I will participate as soon as the meeting starts." Do not confuse this with "My participation depends on the meeting." The latter would be会議に参加するかは、議題次第だ。({gidai shidai da} | ...depends on the agenda.)
の before 次第:次第 functions like a suffix, not a regular noun. It merges with the noun before it.- Incorrect:
✗ 明日の天気の次第で、予定を決めましょう。 - Correct:
✓ 明日の天気次第で、予定を決めましょう。({ashita no tenki shidai de, yotei o kimemashō} | Let's decide our plans depending on tomorrow's weather.)
次第に (shidai ni):次第に is a standalone adverb meaning "gradually" or "little by little." It describes a slow change over time and is unrelated to conditionality.~次第だ:彼の態度は、その日の気分次第で変わる。({kare no taido wa, sono hi no kibun shidai de kawaru} | His attitude changes depending on his mood that day.) (Condition)次第に:冬が近づき、次第に寒くなってきた。({fuyu ga chikazuki, shidai ni samuku natte kita} | As winter approaches, it has gradually gotten colder.) (Process)
次第 needs a noun to latch onto.- Incorrect:
✗ 難しい次第だ。 - Correct:
✓ 難しさ次第だ。({muzukashisa shidai da} | It depends on the difficulty.) or✓ 難しいかどうか次第だ。({muzukashii ka dō ka shidai da} | It depends on whether it is difficult.)
Contrast With Similar Patterns
~次第だ is distinct for its focus on a single, decisive future condition.~次第だ vs. ~による / ~によって~によって is much broader.~次第だ | ~による / ~によって |合格は努力次第だ。 (Passing depends on effort.) | Less common for this direct, single-factor meaning. |事故によって、電車が遅れた。 (The train was late due to the accident.) |インターネットによって情報を集める。 (Gather information by means of the internet.) |国によって、文化や習慣が違う。 (Culture and customs differ depending on the country.) |次第だ when one thing will decide a future result. Use によって to explain the cause of something, the method used, or to show that something varies across different items in a group.~次第だ vs. ~にかかっている~にかかっている carries a much heavier nuance of fate, importance, or high stakes. It literally means "is hanging on."~次第だis objective and analytical:成功は戦略次第だ。({seikō wa senryaku shidai da} | Success depends on the strategy.)~にかかっているis dramatic and weighty:この会社の未来は、君の肩にかかっている。({kono kaisha no mirai wa, kimi no kata ni kakatte iru} | The future of this company rests on your shoulders.) You wouldn't say the future of the company depends on your shoulders (肩次第だ), which sounds nonsensical.
~次第だ vs. 〜（か）どうかは、〜で決まる~次第だ.~次第だ: More concise, slightly more formal, and common in writing.行くかどうかは天気次第だ。~で決まる: More direct and explicit, common in speech.行くかどうかは天気で決まる。({...tenki de kimaru} | ...is decided by the weather.)
次第だ being a more compact and slightly more sophisticated-sounding option.Real Conversations
Scenario 1
A
このプロジェクト、予算内に収まりますかね？({kono purojekuto, yosan'nai ni osamarimasu ka ne?} | Do you think we can keep this project within budget?)
B
うーん、それは今後の追加費用の発生次第ですね。今のところは、ギリギリです。({uun, sore wa kongo no tsuika hiyō no hassei shidai desu ne. ima no tokoro wa, girigiri desu} | Hmm, that depends on whether any additional costs arise from now on. For now, it's very tight.)
Scenario 2
A
今週末の旅行、楽しみだね！({konshūmatsu no ryokō, tanoshimi da ne!} | I'm excited for our trip this weekend!)
B
本当だね。でも、すべては天気次第だよ。台風が来てるらしいから。({hontō da ne. demo, subete wa tenki shidai da yo. taifū ga kiteru rashii kara} | Me too. But everything depends on the weather. I heard a typhoon might be coming.)
Scenario 3
A
第一志望の会社に内定をもらえるか、すごく不安です。({dai'ichi shibō no kaisha ni naitei o moraeru ka, sugoku fuan desu} | I'm very anxious about whether I can get an offer from my first-choice company.)
B
最終的には、面接での印象次第な部分が大きいですよ。自信を持って頑張って。({saishūteki ni wa, mensetsu de no inshō shidai na bubun ga ōkii desu yo. jishin o motte ganbatte} | In the end, a lot of it depends on the impression you make in the interview. Be confident and do your best.)
Scenario 4
A
このボス、全然倒せない！({kono bosu, zenzen taosenai!} | I can't beat this boss at all!)
B
そのゲーム、結局は課金額次第なんでしょ？({sono gēmu, kekkyoku wa kakingaku shidai nan desho?} | In the end, that game just depends on how much you pay, right?)
Quick FAQ
~次第だ to talk about something in the past?〜によって決まった ({...ni yotte kimatta} | was decided by...) or a simple cause-and-effect sentence.あなた次第 ({anata shidai}) rude?成功するかはあなた次第だ), it's encouraging. However, in a dispute (どうするかはあなた次第だ), it can sound like you are coldly shifting all responsibility and refusing to engage further. It's a very direct phrase.Noun + 次第 and V-stem + 次第?天気次第だ correct but 天気の次第だ wrong?次第 is not a standalone noun but a suffix. It bonds directly to the noun to create a new adjectival noun, meaning "dependent on weather." There's no possessive relationship, so the particle の is not needed.〜次第で and 〜次第では?〜次第で is a neutral connector: "Depending on X, Y happens." 〜次第では zooms in on a specific possibility and adds emphasis: "In the specific case of X, the notable outcome Y might happen." It often introduces a more serious or less desirable potential result.次第?努力 (effort), 結果 (result), 金額 (price/amount), 天気 (weather), 気分 (mood), and people (あなた, 彼).~次第だ more common in writing or speaking?〜で決まる.Formation Table
| Base | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Noun
|
Noun + 次第だ
|
{天気|てんき}次第だ
|
|
Verb Stem
|
Stem + 次第だ
|
{考|かんが}え次第だ
|
Meanings
Indicates that the result of an action or state is contingent upon a preceding factor.
Contingency
The outcome is determined by the preceding noun.
“{天気|てんき}次第で{中止|ちゅうし}になる。”
“{気分|きぶん}次第で{決|き}める。”
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Affirmative
|
Noun + 次第だ
|
{天気|てんき}次第だ
|
|
Polite
|
Noun + 次第です
|
{天気|てんき}次第です
|
|
Past (rare)
|
Noun + 次第だった
|
{天気|てんき}次第だった
|
Formality Spectrum
{天気|てんき}次第でございます。 (Planning)
{天気|てんき}次第です。 (Planning)
{天気|てんき}次第だ。 (Planning)
{天気|てんき}次第！ (Planning)
Dependency Map
Factors
- {天気|てんき} Weather
- {努力|どりょく} Effort
Examples by Level
{天気|てんき}次第です。
It depends on the weather.
{気分|きぶん}次第で{決|き}めます。
I will decide based on my mood.
{成功|せいこう}するかは、{努力|どりょく}次第だ。
Whether you succeed depends on your effort.
{予算|よさん}次第で、{計画|けいかく}を{変更|へんこう}します。
We will change the plan depending on the budget.
{結果|けっか}は{彼|かれ}の{判断|はんだん}次第という{事|こと}になる。
The result will depend on his judgment.
{状況|じょうきょう}次第では、{延期|えんき}も{考|かんが}えなければならない。
Depending on the situation, we may have to consider a postponement.
Easily Confused
Same word, different meaning.
Common Mistakes
天気 の 次第
天気次第
行く次第
行き次第
雨が降る次第
雨次第
次第であること
次第だ
Sentence Patterns
___次第です。
Real World Usage
{天気|てんき}次第だね。
{御社|おんしゃ}の{方針|ほうしん}次第です。
{気分|きぶん}次第で{投稿|とうこう}する。
{予算|よさん}次第で{決|き}める。
{混雑|こんざつ}次第で{時間|じかん}が{変|か}わる。
{先方|せんぽう}次第でございます。
Check the context
No particles
Use in business
Politeness
Smart Tips
Use 'desu' at the end.
Don't use any.
Use it to show flexibility.
Use it to list factors.
Pronunciation
Pitch accent
Shidai is usually flat.
Rising
Shidai?
Questioning dependency
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of 'Shidai' as 'She-die'—if the plant lives or dies depends on the water.
Visual Association
A scale balancing a result on one side and a condition on the other.
Rhyme
For the result you seek, check the condition, use Shidai to speak.
Story
I wanted to go to the beach. I checked the weather. The weather was the boss. The weather decided my fate. {天気|てんき}次第だ！
Word Web
Challenge
Write 3 sentences about your day using 'X次第だ'.
Cultural Notes
Used to show respect to the client's decision.
From the noun 'shidai' meaning order or circumstance.
Conversation Starters
What does your weekend depend on?
Journal Prompts
Common Mistakes
Test Yourself
天気___です。
Which is correct?
Find and fix the mistake:
予算の次第です。
次第 / 天気 / です
It depends on effort.
Answer starts with: 努力次...
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
Success is ___.
気分___で決めます。
Score: /8
Practice Exercises
8 exercises天気___です。
Which is correct?
Find and fix the mistake:
予算の次第です。
次第 / 天気 / です
It depends on effort.
Match the meaning.
Success is ___.
気分___で決めます。
Score: /8
Practice Bank
10 exercises成功するかどうかは、自分 ___ です。
Arrange these:
Everything depends on the budget.
テストの結果は勉強する次第だ。
「準備次第で、結果が変わる。」
Match the pairs:
スマホの電池 ___ で、写真が撮れないかもしれない。
Pick the formal variant:
How do you say it casually?
Arrange these:
Score: /10
FAQ (8)
No, never use 'no' before 'shidai'.
It can be both formal and casual.
Use the stem form.
No, that is a different usage.
It is mostly for future.
Yes, very common.
Yes, it is professional.
No, it means 'depends on'.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
Depender de
Spanish uses a preposition.
Dépendre de
French requires a preposition.
Abhängen von
German is a verb-based structure.
Ni yoru
Shidai is more emphatic.
Ya'tamid 'ala
Arabic is verb-based.
Qujue yu
Chinese is verb-based.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
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