B2 Advanced Patterns 12 min read Easy

Chinese Conditionals: Using 'kàn' (看) for 'It Depends'

The character 看 acts as a versatile 'hinge' to connect potential actions with their deciding conditions.
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Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds

Use 'kàn' (看) to express that a result is contingent upon a specific variable or condition.

  • Use '看' + [variable] to mean 'it depends on [variable]'. Example: 看天气 (kàn tiānqì).
  • Use '看' + [clause] + [result] for complex conditions. Example: 看你有没有时间 (kàn nǐ yǒu méiyǒu shíjiān).
  • Use '看情况' (kàn qíngkuàng) as a standalone response for 'it depends'. Example: 看情况吧 (kàn qíngkuàng ba).
看 (kàn) + [Variable/Condition] = Result depends on this

Overview

At the B2 level, your understanding of Chinese grammar moves from simple declarative statements to expressing nuanced perspectives, attitudes, and conditions. The character 看(kàn), which you first learned as “to look at” or “to watch,” evolves into a sophisticated tool for expressing conditionality. In English, we often default to the phrase “it depends on,” but this translation fails to capture the grammatical elegance of 看(kàn).

Instead of functioning as a simple verb, 看(kàn) in this context acts as a grammatical pivot, shifting the focus of the sentence to the determining factor or condition. It essentially topicalizes the variable that will decide the outcome.

Imagine a situation where a decision is pending. The Chinese language, which often prioritizes topic-comment structure, uses 看(kàn) to introduce the “topic” of that condition. When a friend asks if you are going to the party (你去不去派对？), responding with 看我有没有时间(kàn wǒ yǒu méiyǒu shíjiān) (Depends on whether I have time) does more than just state a condition.

It grammatically isolates 我有没有时间 (whether I have time) as the single most important variable. This structure is efficient, direct, and mirrors a common cognitive pattern: identifying the key variable before stating the result. Mastering this pattern is crucial for moving beyond textbook structures like 如果…就…(rúguǒ…jiù…) and into the fluid, context-driven language used by native speakers.

How This Grammar Works

The core principle behind this usage of 看(kàn) is topicalization of a condition. Instead of forming a complete conditional clause, you are pointing directly at the noun, phrase, or question that represents the unresolved variable. The structure implies that the outcome of an unstated or previously mentioned topic is contingent upon the element that follows 看(kàn).
It answers the implicit question: “What is the deciding factor here?”
The brilliance of this pattern lies in its conciseness. The verb 看(kàn) absorbs the concepts of “depending on,” “contingent upon,” and “decided by.” The object of 看(kàn) is not something being looked at with the eyes, but rather a condition being “examined” or “consulted” to determine a future action. For example, in `{我们几点出发？看天气吧。|Wǒmen jǐ diǎn chūfā?
Kàn tiānqì ba.} (“When do we leave? Depends on the weather.”), the weather (天气) becomes the sole factor under consideration. This is linguistically more direct than a cumbersome sentence like 我们什么时候出发取决于天气怎么样(wǒmen shénme shíhòu chūfā qǔjué yú tiānqì zěnmeyàng)`.
Furthermore, this pattern can elegantly assign or deflect responsibility. When you say 晚餐吃什么？看你。(Wǎncān chī shénme? Kàn nǐ.) (“What’s for dinner?
Up to you.”), you are linguistically transferring the agency of the decision to the other person. 你(nǐ) becomes the deciding “variable.” This is not simply a polite suggestion but a grammatical delegation of control. The pattern operates on a simple but powerful logic: the outcome hangs on the condition that 看(kàn) introduces.
This allows for a flexible, responsive, and socially aware way of navigating conversations where outcomes are not yet fixed.

Formation Pattern

1
This pattern is versatile, ranging from short, standalone responses to more complex sentences. The core structure always involves 看(kàn) followed by the condition. For emphasis, especially in spoken language, 得(děi) (must) is often added.
2
Here are the primary formation patterns, presented from simplest to most complex.
3
1. Basic Pattern: Standalone Response
4
This is the most common use in casual conversation, often as a direct answer to a question. The structure is simply 看(kàn) + the deciding factor.
5
| Pattern | Structure | Example (A/B format) |
6
|---|---|---|
7
| Simple Condition | 看 + Noun | A: 周末去爬山吗？ (Go hiking this weekend?)B: 看天气。 (kàn tiānqì - Depends on the weather.) |
8
| Delegating Decision | 看 + Pronoun | A: 我们应该先做哪个项目？ (Which project should we do first?)B: 看你。 (kàn nǐ - It's up to you.) |
9
| Vague Condition | 看情况 | A: 你明天能准时到吗？ (Can you arrive on time tomorrow?)B: 看情况。 (kàn qíngkuàng - We'll see / Depends on the situation.) |
10
2. Emphatic Pattern: Using 得看(děi kàn)
11
Adding 得(děi) strengthens the conditionality, translating closer to “it must depend on” or “that would depend on.” This is extremely common in natural speech and adds a more definitive tone to the contingency.
12
| Pattern | Structure | Example |
13
|---|---|---|
14
| Strong Condition | (那)得看 + Noun/Phrase | 能不能升职，那得看今年的业绩。 (Néng bùnéng shēngzhí, nà děi kàn jīnnián de yèjī. - Whether I can get promoted depends on this year's performance.) |
15
| Emphatic Delegation | 这得看 + Pronoun | 这个问题的责任是谁，这得看他当时怎么说的。 (Zhège wèntí de zérèn shì shéi, zhè děi kàn tā dāngshí zěnme shuō de. - Whose responsibility this issue is depends on what he said at the time.) |
16
3. Full Sentence Pattern: Stating the Outcome
17
Here, the outcome (the action that depends on the condition) is explicitly stated in the same sentence. The word order is flexible but typically follows one of two structures.
18
| Pattern | Structure | Example |
19
|---|---|---|
20
| Outcome First | [Outcome] + 看 + [Condition] | 我们去不去上海，看我们老板的决定。 (Wǒmen qù bù qù Shànghǎi, kàn wǒmen lǎobǎn de juédìng. - Whether we go to Shanghai or not depends on our boss's decision.) |
21
| Condition Embedded | [Subject] + [Action] + 得看 + [Condition] | 这个项目能不能成功，得看团队的合作精神。 (Zhège xiàngmù néng bùnéng chénggōng, děi kàn tuánduì de hézuò jīngshén. - Whether this project can succeed depends on the team's cooperative spirit.) |
22
4. Complex Condition: Using Question Clauses
23
At a more advanced level, the condition following 看(kàn) is often a full-fledged clause, typically formed with a question word (什么|shénme, 谁|shéi, 哪儿|nǎ'er, 怎么|zěnme) or a verb-not-verb structure.
24
| Pattern | Structure | Example |
25
|---|---|---|
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| V-not-V Clause | 看 + [Subject] + [Verb-not-Verb] ... | 他会不会来，得看他女朋友想不想来。 (Tā huì bù huì lái, děi kàn tā nǚpéngyǒu xiǎng bùxiǎng lái. - Whether he comes or not depends on whether his girlfriend wants to.) |
27
| Question Word Clause | 看 + [Subject] + [QW] ... | 我们能优惠多少，得看你买多少。 (Wǒmen néng yōuhuì duōshǎo, děi kàn nǐ mǎi duōshǎo. - How much of a discount we can give depends on how much you buy.) |
28
| General Question | 看 + [Clause] | 我想买那件衣服，但还得看我妈妈同不同意。 (Wǒ xiǎng mǎi nà jiàn yīfú, dàn hái děi kàn wǒ māma tóng bù tóngyì. - I want to buy those clothes, but it still depends on whether my mom agrees.) |

When To Use It

The 看(kàn) pattern is ubiquitous in daily Mandarin, especially in situations involving uncertainty, planning, and negotiation. Its use is a strong indicator of conversational fluency.
1. Making Non-Committal Plans
This is the most common scenario. When you don't want to or cannot give a definite “yes” or “no,” 看(kàn) is the perfect tool. It allows you to remain flexible without seeming evasive or rude.
In a group chat planning a weekend trip, you will constantly see phrases like 看天气(kàn tiānqì) (depends on the weather), 看大家的时间(kàn dàjiā de shíjiān) (depends on everyone’s schedule), or the all-purpose 看情况(kàn qíngkuàng) (we’ll see).
2. Delegating or Shifting a Decision
As mentioned, 看你(kàn nǐ) or 看他/她(kàn tā) is a graceful way to pass the decision-making authority to someone else. It can be genuinely deferential, as in 你想去哪家餐厅都行，看你。(Nǐ xiǎng qù nǎ jiā cāntīng dōu xíng, kàn nǐ.) (Any restaurant you want to go to is fine, it's up to you). It can also be used to gently place responsibility, for instance, a manager telling an employee, 项目能不能按时完成，就看你了。(Xiàngmù néng bùnéng ànshí wánchéng, jiù kàn nǐle.) (Whether the project can be finished on time is up to you now).
3. Professional and Business Contexts
In a professional setting, providing a definite timeline or outcome can be risky. 看(kàn) is a strategic way to manage expectations. When a client asks for a delivery date, a safe answer is 那得看最终版的要求什么时候确定。(Nà děi kàn zuìzhōng bǎn de yāoqiú shénme shíhòu quèdìng.) (That depends on when the final requirements are confirmed).
It sounds professional, logical, and protects you from overcommitting. It signals that the outcome is contingent on external factors, not a lack of effort.
4. Negotiation and Shopping
When bargaining or discussing a potential purchase, 看(kàn) can signal your criteria without being confrontational. If a vendor asks if you want to buy something, you might respond with 看价格合不合适。(Kàn jiàgé hébù héshì.) (Depends on whether the price is suitable). This opens the door for negotiation more politely than saying 太贵了(tài guì le) (It's too expensive).

Common Mistakes

While the concept is straightforward, learners often fall into a few common traps, either by mistranslating from their native language or by misapplying the structure.
1. Overusing or Misusing 取决于(qǔjué yú)
This is the most frequent error. Learners find the formal dictionary translation for “depend on,” which is 取决于(qǔjué yú), and use it in casual conversation. While grammatically correct, it is stylistically jarring. Using 取决于(qǔjué yú) in a daily chat is like using “it is contingent upon” when ordering coffee. It’s too formal and stiff. Reserve 取决于(qǔjué yú) for written reports, academic papers, or formal speeches.
| Context | Natural Choice (Spoken) | Formal Choice (Written) |
|---|---|---|
| Deciding dinner | 吃什么？看你。 | 晚餐的选择取决于你的口味。 (Too formal) |
| Project success | 能不能成功得看大家。 | 项目的成功与否取决于全体成员的努力。 (Appropriate) |
2. Confusing with 根据(gēnjù) (according to)
根据(gēnjù) is used when an action or conclusion is based on existing information, evidence, or a set standard. It's about facts. 看(kàn) is about a future variable or condition.
  • Use 根据(gēnjù) for facts: 根据天气预报，明天会下雨。(Gēnjù tiānqì yùbào, míngtiān huì xià yǔ.) (According to the weather forecast, it will rain tomorrow.)
  • Use 看(kàn) for conditions: 我们明天去不去？看天气。(Wǒmen míngtiān qù bù qù? Kàn tiānqì.) (Are we going tomorrow? Depends on the weather.)
3. Incorrect Word Order with a Full Clause
Learners sometimes try to force an English word order, leading to awkward phrasing. Remember that the condition introduced by 看(kàn) is the topic. A common error is placing the subject incorrectly. For instance, instead of the correct 去不去得看我的老板(qù bù qù děi kàn wǒ de lǎobǎn), a learner might say *得看我的老板我能不能去 which is incorrect. The outcome or decision (去不去) should be established first as the topic of the sentence.
4. Forgetting 得(děi) in Emphatic Contexts
While 看(kàn) alone is fine, omitting 得(děi) in contexts that imply a strong, necessary condition can make the sentence sound weak or incomplete to a native speaker. When you mean “it really depends on X,” the phrase 那得看(nà děi kàn) is almost reflexive for native speakers. Forgetting the 得(děi) is not a grammatical error, but its inclusion marks a higher level of fluency. For example, 那看你的心情(nà kàn nǐ de xīnqíng) is okay, but 那得看你的心情(nà děi kàn nǐ de xīnqíng) sounds much more natural and emphatic.

Real Conversations

S

Scenario 1

Planning a Holiday (WeChat Group Chat)

小红 (Xiǎo Hóng): 国庆节我们去哪儿玩？去成都怎么样？

(Where should we go for the National Day holiday? How about Chengdu?)

小明 (Xiǎo Míng): 听起来不错！不过我得先看看我的预算。

(Sounds good! But I have to check my budget first.)

小丽 (Xiǎo Lì): 我能不能去，得看我老板批不批准我的假期。

(Whether I can go or not depends on whether my boss approves my vacation.)

小红 (Xiǎo Hóng): 好吧，那我们最终去不去成都，就看小丽的情况了。

(Okay, then whether we ultimately go to Chengdu depends on Xiaoli's situation.)

S

Scenario 2

At the Office (Discussing a Deadline)
M

Manager

这个报告周五能给我吗？

(Can you give me this report by Friday?)

E

Employee

嗯……我尽力。主要看市场部那边的数据能不能及时给我。

(Hmm... I'll do my best. It mainly depends on whether the marketing department can give me their data in time.)

M

Manager

好，我帮你去催一下。项目的成败就看这个报告了。

(Okay, I'll help you push them. The success of the project depends on this report.)

S

Scenario 3

A Couple Deciding on a Movie
P

Person A

今晚想看电影吗？

(Want to watch a movie tonight?)

P

Person B

好啊。看什么？

(Sure. What should we watch?)

P

Person A

看你吧，我什么都行。

(Up to you, I'm fine with anything.)

P

Person B

那我看看最近有什么新片。不过去哪个电影院，得看哪家有好的座位。

(Then I'll see what new movies are out recently. But which cinema we go to depends on which one has good seats.)

Quick FAQ

Q: Can I use 看(kàn) for past events?

Generally, no. This pattern is overwhelmingly used for future possibilities and general truths. For a past event, you would explain the reason or cause directly rather than framing it as a condition. For instance, instead of saying *我昨天来没来，看我心情 (I came yesterday or not depended on my mood), you would say 我昨天没来，因为心情不好 (I didn't come yesterday because I was in a bad mood).

Q: Is 看你(kàn nǐ) always polite? Could it sound like “whatever”?

In most contexts, 看你(kàn nǐ) is considered polite and flexible. It shows deference to the other person's preference. However, tone of voice and context are critical. If said with a dismissive tone, it can come across as indifference, similar to a terse “whatever.” But in a friendly or neutral tone, it is almost always interpreted as being easygoing and considerate.

Q: How is 视(shì) related to 看(kàn) in this context?

视(shì) is a more formal, literary equivalent of 看(kàn) for expressing conditionality. You will encounter it in writing or very formal speech, most commonly in the set phrase 视情况而定(shì qíngkuàng ér dìng) (depends on the circumstances). Think of 看情况(kàn qíngkuàng) as the everyday spoken version and 视情况而定(shì qíngkuàng ér dìng) as its formal written counterpart. For a B2 learner, recognizing 视(shì) is useful, but using 看(kàn) is far more practical for daily communication.

Q: What does adding 了(le) at the end, as in 就看你了(jiù kàn nǐ le), do?

Adding 了(le) signifies a change of state or a new situation. 就看你了(jiù kàn nǐ le) implies that after considering all other factors, the situation has now evolved to a point where you have become the single, final deciding factor. It often carries a sense of expectation or pressure. For example, 我们都准备好了，就看你了 (We are all ready, now it's all up to you).

Q: Can I respond to a question with just 看(kàn)?

No, that would be incomplete. 看(kàn) must have an object that specifies the condition (e.g., 看天气(kàn tiānqì), 看你(kàn nǐ)). The absolute minimum complete response is a phrase like 看情况(kàn qíngkuàng).

Formation Patterns

Type Structure Example
Noun
看 + Noun
看天气
Clause
看 + Clause
看他怎么说
Result-First
Result + 看 + Condition
去不去，看情况
Formal
看 + Condition + 而定
看情况而定
Question
看 + Question Clause
看你能不能来
Negative
看 + 不 + Condition
看你来不来

Common Shortened Forms

Full Short
看情况
看情况
看你自己的意思
看你

Meanings

The verb 'kàn' (看) here functions as a marker of dependency, indicating that the following noun or clause is the deciding factor for a subsequent action or state.

1

Direct dependency

The outcome is directly tied to a specific noun or factor.

“看心情 (kàn xīnqíng)”

“看预算 (kàn yùsuàn)”

2

Clause-based dependency

The outcome is tied to the truth value of a clause.

“看你明天能不能来 (kàn nǐ míngtiān néng bùnéng lái)”

“看他怎么说 (kàn tā zěnme shuō)”

Reference Table

Reference table for Chinese Conditionals: Using 'kàn' (看) for 'It Depends'
Form Structure Example
Affirmative
看 + Noun
看天气
Negative
看 + 没 + Noun
看没钱
Interrogative
看 + A-not-A
看你来不来
Formal
看 + Noun + 而定
看情况而定
Complex
Result + 看 + Condition
吃饭看时间
Short
看 + Pronoun
看你

Formality Spectrum

Formal
视情况而定。

视情况而定。 (General)

Neutral
看情况。

看情况。 (General)

Informal
看情况吧。

看情况吧。 (General)

Slang
看呗。

看呗。 (General)

The 'Kàn' Dependency Map

看 (kàn)

Factors

  • 天气 weather
  • 时间 time
  • 心情 mood

Casual vs Formal Dependency

Casual (看)
看情况 it depends
Formal (取决于)
取决于... is determined by...
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Examples by Level

1

看天气。

It depends on the weather.

2

看你。

It depends on you.

3

看情况。

It depends on the situation.

4

看时间。

It depends on the time.

1

明天去不去，看情况。

Whether we go tomorrow depends on the situation.

2

能不能买，看钱。

Whether I can buy it depends on the money.

3

看他怎么说吧。

Let's see what he says.

4

看你有没有空。

It depends on if you are free.

1

这事儿能不能成，看运气。

Whether this succeeds depends on luck.

2

看老板的意思吧。

It depends on what the boss thinks.

3

看你什么时候方便。

It depends on when you are convenient.

4

看明天的会议结果。

It depends on tomorrow's meeting results.

1

能不能通过，看你的表现。

Whether you pass depends on your performance.

2

看情况而定，我还没决定。

It depends on the situation; I haven't decided yet.

3

看你对这个问题的看法。

It depends on your view of this issue.

4

看市场需求的变化。

It depends on the changes in market demand.

1

能否达成共识，看双方的诚意。

Whether a consensus is reached depends on the sincerity of both sides.

2

看局势的发展，我们再做打算。

We will make plans depending on how the situation develops.

3

看你个人的职业规划。

It depends on your individual career plan.

4

看政策的落实情况。

It depends on the implementation of the policy.

1

成败与否，看天意，也看人为。

Success or failure depends on heaven's will, but also on human effort.

2

看各方的博弈结果。

It depends on the outcome of the game between all parties.

3

看历史的演变轨迹。

It depends on the evolutionary trajectory of history.

4

看语境的细微差别。

It depends on the nuances of the context.

Easily Confused

Chinese Conditionals: Using 'kàn' (看) for 'It Depends' vs 取决于 (qǔjué yú)

Both mean 'depend on'.

Chinese Conditionals: Using 'kàn' (看) for 'It Depends' vs 依赖 (yīlài)

Both mean 'depend'.

Chinese Conditionals: Using 'kàn' (看) for 'It Depends' vs 看 (kàn) vs 视 (shì)

Both are used in 'it depends'.

Common Mistakes

✗

依赖天气

✓

看天气

依赖 is for reliance, not conditional planning.
✗

天气看

✓

看天气

Wrong word order.
✗

看

✓

看情况

Cannot stand alone without an object.
✗

看是天气

✓

看天气

Don't add 'shi'.
✗

看我想要

✓

看我想要什么

Need a complete clause.
✗

看情况定

✓

看情况而定

Missing the formal marker.
✗

取决于你

✓

看你

Too formal for casual talk.
✗

看他是否来

✓

看他来不来

A-not-A is more natural than 'shifou'.
✗

看情况吧定

✓

看情况而定

Incorrect word order.
✗

看那天的天气

✓

看天气

Keep it concise.
✗

取决于天气

✓

看天气

Context mismatch.

Sentence Patterns

___, 看___。

看___, 再决定。

能不能___, 看___。

看___而定。

Real World Usage

Texting constant

看情况吧。

Job Interview occasional

这取决于公司的需求。

Food Delivery common

看送餐时间。

Travel Planning very common

看天气决定。

Social Media common

看心情发照片。

Business Negotiation common

看双方的报价。

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💡

Keep it short

Don't over-explain your condition. '看天气' is better than '看明天的天气怎么样'.
⚠️

Avoid 'yīlài'

Never use 'yīlài' for 'it depends'. It sounds like you are talking about addiction or emotional reliance.
🎯

Use 'ér dìng'

Add 'ér dìng' to the end to sound more professional without being overly academic.
💬

Polite hedging

Use 'kàn qíngkuàng' when you want to say 'no' without being rude.

Smart Tips

Use 'kàn qíngkuàng' to avoid committing to a plan.

我不知道。 → 看情况吧。

Use '看项目的进度' to show you are thinking about the work.

看情况。 → 看项目的进度。

Add 'ér dìng' to the end of your 'kàn' phrase.

看情况。 → 看情况而定。

Use 'kàn' + [question] to show you are considering the variables.

看情况。 → 看你明天有没有空。

Pronunciation

kàn

Tone of kàn

It is a fourth tone (falling). Ensure it is sharp.

Hedging

看情况... (trailing off)

Suggests hesitation or politeness.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'kàn' as a pair of binoculars. You are looking through them at the condition to see what the future holds.

Visual Association

Imagine a person standing at a fork in the road, holding binoculars (kàn) to see which path is clear before deciding where to walk.

Rhyme

When you don't know what to do, use 'kàn' to see the view.

Story

Xiao Wang is asked to a party. He doesn't want to say no. He says 'kàn qíngkuàng'. He is looking at his schedule. He is looking at his mood. He is looking at the weather. He uses 'kàn' to keep his options open.

Word Web

看情况看天气看心情看时间看你看结果

Challenge

For the next 24 hours, whenever someone asks you a question about your plans, try to use 'kàn' + [factor] instead of a simple 'yes' or 'no'.

Cultural Notes

Very common in work and social settings to avoid direct 'no'.

Similar usage, often used with '看狀況'.

Often uses '睇' (tái) instead of '看'.

Derived from the literal verb 'to look' (看).

Conversation Starters

“

明天去爬山吗？

“

你觉得这个项目能成功吗？

“

我们要不要现在出发？

“

你打算什么时候换工作？

Journal Prompts

Write about your plans for the weekend using 'kàn'.
Describe a difficult decision you made and what it depended on.
Discuss the factors that influence your career choices.
Reflect on how 'it depends' is used in your native language vs Chinese.

Common Mistakes

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

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Test Yourself

Fill in the blank with the correct word.

明天去不去，___天气。

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 看
看 is the correct conditional marker.
Which sentence is more natural? Multiple Choice

A: 依赖天气。 B: 看天气。

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: B
看天气 is the standard way to say 'it depends on the weather'.
Correct the sentence. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

天气看。

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 看天气
The verb must come before the noun.
Reorder the words. Sentence Reorder

Arrange the words in the correct order:

All words placed

Click words above to build the sentence

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 看情况而定
The correct formal structure.
Translate to Chinese. Translation

It depends on you.

Answer starts with: 看你...

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 看你
看你 is the most natural way to say 'it depends on you'.
Complete the dialogue. Dialogue Completion

A: 你明天来吗？ B: ___。

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 看情况
看情况 is the standard response for 'it depends'.
Build a sentence. Sentence Building

能不能成功 / 看 / 努力

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 能不能成功, 看努力
Result first, then condition.
Match the phrase with its meaning. Match Pairs

Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Correct
Both are correct.

Score: /8

Practice Exercises

8 exercises
Fill in the blank with the correct word.

明天去不去，___天气。

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 看
看 is the correct conditional marker.
Which sentence is more natural? Multiple Choice

A: 依赖天气。 B: 看天气。

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: B
看天气 is the standard way to say 'it depends on the weather'.
Correct the sentence. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

天气看。

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 看天气
The verb must come before the noun.
Reorder the words. Sentence Reorder

看 / 情况 / 而定

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 看情况而定
The correct formal structure.
Translate to Chinese. Translation

It depends on you.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 看你
看你 is the most natural way to say 'it depends on you'.
Complete the dialogue. Dialogue Completion

A: 你明天来吗？ B: ___。

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 看情况
看情况 is the standard response for 'it depends'.
Build a sentence. Sentence Building

能不能成功 / 看 / 努力

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 能不能成功, 看努力
Result first, then condition.
Match the phrase with its meaning. Match Pairs

看心情 - It depends on mood; 看时间 - It depends on time.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Correct
Both are correct.

Score: /8

Practice Bank

5 exercises
Translate to Chinese: "That would depend on when he arrives." Translation

That would depend on when he arrives.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: {那得看他什么时候到。|Nà děi kàn tā shénme shíhòu dào.}
Reorder to say "It depends on my mood." Sentence Reorder

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: {看我心情|kàn wǒ xīnqíng}
Match the Chinese phrase with its English meaning Match Pairs

Match the pairs:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: matched
How do you say "Depends on whether you're coming or not?" Multiple Choice

Choose the correct one:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: {看你来不来。|Kàn nǐ lái bù lái.}
Fill in the blank: "That (would) depend on..." Fill in the Blank

{那___看他想不想去。|Nà ___ kàn tā xiǎng bù xiǎng qù.}

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: {得|děi}

Score: /5

FAQ (8)

Mostly yes, for casual situations. Use 'qǔjué yú' for formal writing.

'Yīlài' means to rely on someone or something for support, not to decide an outcome.

It is the most common, but 'kàn [specific factor]' is better if you want to be clear.

No, avoid it. Use '取决于' instead.

It adds a sense of finality and formality to the 'kàn' structure.

Yes, it is the verb 'to look'.

Yes, 'kàn nǐ lái bù lái' is perfect.

No, it is polite and avoids direct rejection.

Scaffolded Practice

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Mastery Progress

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In Other Languages

Spanish high

depende de

Spanish uses a preposition 'de', Chinese uses no preposition.

French high

ça dépend

French uses a pronoun 'ça', Chinese uses the verb 'kàn'.

German moderate

es kommt darauf an

German is a multi-word phrase, Chinese is a simple verb-object.

Japanese moderate

〜による

Japanese is post-positional, Chinese is pre-positional.

Arabic moderate

يعتمد على

Arabic uses a preposition 'ala', Chinese does not.

Chinese self

看

N/A

Learning Path

Prerequisites

Previous
Urgent Advice: Don't Forget! (千万 qiānwàn)
Next
The 'Don't Even Ask' Grammar: 别提了 (bié tí le)

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