〜次第で / 〜次第だ / 〜次第 — JLPT N2 Grammar
Master the two distinct uses of 〜次第: 'depending on' (conditional) and 'as soon as' (sequence), a critical N2 exam distinction.
Pattern
〜次第で / 〜次第だ (conditional: depending on) 〜次第 (temporal: as soon as)
Structure
Meaning A — Depending on (conditionality):
- Noun + 次第で / 次第では / 次第だ
- The noun is the variable that determines the outcome
Meaning B — As soon as (temporal sequence):
- Verb (masu-stem) + 次第
- The verb describes the action whose completion triggers the next action
Formality Level
Formal — common in business correspondence, official notices, and formal spoken Japanese. The "as soon as" use is particularly prevalent in business emails and formal requests.
THE TWO MEANINGS — Critical N2 Distinction
Meaning A: 〜次第で = "Depending on"
Noun + 次第で: The outcome Y varies according to the value of the preceding noun X. X is the determining factor.
| Japanese | Reading | Romaji | English |
|---|---|---|---|
| 結果次第では、計画を見直す可能性がある。 | けっかしだいでは、けいかくをみなおすかのうせいがある。 | kekka shidai de wa, keikaku o minaōsu kanōsei ga aru. | Depending on the results, there is a possibility of revising the plan. |
| 努力次第で、目標は達成できる。 | どりょくしだいで、もくひょうはたっせいできる。 | doryoku shidai de, mokuhyō wa tassei dekiru. | Depending on one's effort, the goal can be achieved. |
| 今後の対応次第では、信頼回復も可能だ。 | こんごのたいおうしだいでは、しんらいかいふくもかのうだ。 | kongo no taiō shidai de wa, shinrai kaifuku mo kanō da. | Depending on future response, trust recovery is also possible. |
Meaning B: 〜次第 = "As soon as"
Verb (masu-stem) + 次第: As soon as X is completed, Y will follow immediately. Used in formal contexts to indicate a prompt follow-up action.
| Japanese | Reading | Romaji | English |
|---|---|---|---|
| 書類が整い次第、手続きを開始いたします。 | しょるいがととのいしだい、てつづきをかいしいたします。 | shorui ga totonoi shidai, tetsuzuki o kaishi itashimasu. | As soon as the documents are ready, we will begin the procedures. |
| 確認が取れ次第、ご連絡いたします。 | かくにんがとれしだい、ごれんらくいたします。 | kakunin ga tore shidai, go-renraku itashimasu. | As soon as confirmation is obtained, I will be in contact. |
| 準備が整い次第、出発します。 | じゅんびがととのいしだい、しゅっぱつします。 | junbi ga totonoi shidai, shuppatsu shimasu. | As soon as preparations are complete, we will depart. |
HOW TO TELL THE TWO USES APART
| Signal | → Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| NOUN before 次第 | "Depending on" (conditional) | 結果次第で (noun 結果) |
| VERB MASU-STEM before 次第 | "As soon as" (temporal) | 整い次第 (masu-stem 整い) |
Memory trick:
- Noun + 次第 = the NOUN is the variable → "depending on that variable"
- Verb + 次第 = the ACTION must be COMPLETED first → "as soon as that action is done"
Common Mistakes
- ❌ 書類が整う次第 → Should be masu-stem: 書類が整い次第 (not dictionary form 整う)
- ❌ 努力し次第で達成できる → For conditional meaning, 次第 must follow a NOUN (努力次第で, not 努力し次第で)
- ❌ 結果が出次第では... → The "as soon as" use (masu-stem + 次第) does NOT take で or では after it.
- ✓ 結果が出次第、報告します (as soon as results come out, I will report — masu-stem + 次第, no で)
- ✓ 結果次第では、計画を変える (depending on results — NOUN + 次第で)