「次第(しだい)」- Depending on the Result

Explanation

次第しだい is an important Japanese grammar point often used to express "depending on..., a certain result will occur." It follows the pattern: 「Verb/い-Adjective/な-Adjective noun-modifying form/Noun」+ 次第しだいだ. The first part usually indicates the natural progression or actual situation, while the second part represents a meaningful and proactive action. Since the second part refers to something that will happen in the future, it cannot be in the past tense.

Grammar Pattern

Grammar Point	Connection	Explanation
動詞どうし/イ形容詞いけいようし/ナ形容詞なけいようしの名詞修飾形めいしじゅうしょうけい/名詞めいし + 次第しだいだ	動詞どうし/イ形容詞いけいようし/ナ形容詞なけいようしの名詞修飾形めいしじゅうしょうけい/名詞めいし + 次第しだいだ	Indicates that the result will vary depending on a certain condition or situation.

Basic Usage

• Expresses a result that depends on a certain condition or situation.
• The second part usually refers to something that will happen in the future.

Examples

• 父ちちが病気びょうきのため、家いえの豆腐屋とうふやを引継ひきつぎに行いく次第しだいだ。
• Chichi ga byouki no tame, ie no toufuya o hikitsugi ni iku shidai da.
• Due to my father's illness, I will take over the family tofu shop.
  

• 努力どりょく次第しだいで人生じんせいは変かわる。
• Doryoku shidai de jinsei wa kawaru.
• Life changes depending on one's efforts.
  

• 全すべては結局けっきょく自分じぶん次第しだいだ。
• Subete wa kekkyoku jibun shidai da.
• In the end, everything depends on oneself.
  

Deep Dive

The use of 次第しだい emphasizes that the result changes depending on the first part. This grammar point is often used in formal settings or written language to convey a cause-and-effect relationship. Note that the content following 次第しだい must refer to a future event and cannot be in the past tense.

Examples

• 次つぎのテストてすとの結果けっか次第しだいで、卒業そつぎょうできるかどうかが決きまる。
• Tsugi no tesuto no kekka shidai de, sotsugyou dekiru ka dou ka ga kimaru.
• Whether I can graduate depends on the results of the next test.
  

• この計画けいかくは予算よさん次第しだいで実行じっこうできるかどうかが決きまる。
• Kono keikaku wa yosan shidai de jikkou dekiru ka dou ka ga kimaru.
• Whether this plan can be implemented depends on the budget.
  

Real-Life Scenarios

Daily Conversations

• 来年らいねんも旅たびしてみようかなと思おもってる。貯金ちょきん次第しだいですが。
• Rainen mo tabi shite miyou ka na to omotteru. Chokin shidai desu ga.
• I’m thinking of traveling again next year, depending on my savings.
  

• 医者いしゃ「食欲しょくよくはありますか？」 患者かんじゃ「おかず次第しだいです」
• Isha: "Shokuyoku wa arimasu ka?" Kanja: "Okazu shidai desu."
• Doctor: "Do you have an appetite?" Patient: "It depends on the side dishes."
  

Business Scenarios

• 準備じゅんびでき次第しだいまた連絡れんらく致いたします。
• Junbi deki shidai mata renraku itashimasu.
• I will contact you as soon as I’m ready.
  

• 数量すうりょう限定げんてい販売はんばい商品しょうひんの為ため、在庫ざいこ無ななくなり次第しだい終了しゅうりょうとなります。
• Suuryou gentei hanbai shouhin no tame, zaiko nakunari shidai shuuryou to narimasu.
• Due to limited quantities, the sale will end as soon as stock runs out.
  

Summary

次第しだい is a highly practical grammar point in Japanese, used to express that the result varies depending on a certain condition. It is widely applicable in both daily conversations and business settings. Understanding and mastering this grammar point will enhance the accuracy and logical flow of your Japanese expressions.