いかんだ / いかんでは / いかんによっては

in accordance with, depending on, whether or not

AI-generated

Structure

[noun] + いかんだ [noun] + いかんでは [noun] + いかんによっては

[noun] + の + いかんだ [noun] + の + いかんでは [noun] + の + いかんによっては

Note: Often preceded by nouns expressing factors/conditions (努力、結果、態度、対応 etc.). The の particle may appear between the noun and いかん.

Description

The expressions いかんだ, いかんでは, and いかんによっては are formal/literary grammar patterns meaning "depending on", "in accordance with", or "contingent upon". They are used to express that a result, decision, or outcome hinges on a particular factor. いかん derives from the classical Japanese word meaning "how" or "in what manner" (related to いかが如何).

いかんだ – "it depends on ~"

This pattern is used to state that something is determined by or depends on a certain factor. It typically appears at the end of a sentence as a conclusive statement.

。

Whether or not you succeed depends on your effort.

いかんでは / いかんによっては – "depending on ~"

These patterns are used mid-sentence to set up a conditional: depending on some factor, a certain outcome may follow. いかんでは and いかんによっては are largely interchangeable, though いかんによっては can feel slightly softer or more explanatory.

、。

Depending on the results, we may need to change the plan.

、。

Depending on the weather, the match may be cancelled.

Structure

These expressions attach to nouns or noun + の:

Noun + いかんだ
Noun + いかんでは / いかんによっては

Sometimes the particle の appears between the noun and いかん:

、。

Depending on the response, we may reconsider the contract.

Usage notes

These are formal, written expressions commonly found in business correspondence, official documents, news reports, and formal speeches. They are rarely used in casual conversation.
A closely related pattern is いかんにかかわらず ("regardless of ~"), which expresses that the outcome does not depend on the factor in question.
Be careful not to confuse いかん with the colloquial いかん meaning "no good" (a dialectal form of いけない).

Examples

、。

Depending on how we respond going forward, this could develop into a major problem.

、。

Depending on the exam results, the scholarship may be revoked.

。

The success or failure of the negotiations depends on the other party's attitude.

、。

Depending on the situation, it may be necessary to hold an emergency meeting.

、せい性。

Depending on the investigation results, there is a possibility the project will be cancelled.

。。

It depends on your answer. Everything hinges on that.

、。

Depending on the fundraising outcome, we may have to revise the development schedule.

、せい性。

Depending on the person's effort, there is still a chance to make it in time.

、だろう。

Depending on the economic conditions, next year's hiring plan will likely change.

、。

Whether or not this problem is resolved depends on the government's judgment.

いかん～ず

いかんにかかわらず / いかんによらず / いかんをとわず