Grammar Info

N3 Lesson 4: 4/21

かは〜によって(ちが)

Depends on, Changes depending on, Differ depending on

Structure Legend

Structure

Phrase + かどうか + Noun + によって(ちが)(1)
WH-Word + A(2) + + Noun + によって(ちが)(1)
A(2) + B(2) + Noun + によって(ちが)(1)

(1) による
(2) [い]Adjective[な]Adjective、Verb、Noun

Details

  • Register

    Standard

  • 使用域

    一般

About 〜かは〜によって違う

~かは~によって(ちが) is an expression in Japanese that appears quite complex at first, but is actually quite simple when broken down into its parts. かは is a combination of the case marking particle か in its role as a quotation, paired with the adverbial particle は, highlighting the topic of the sentence. Together these can be translated as 'whether (A)'.
によって(ちが) is made up of the case marking particle (highlighting a location), the て form of よる (a う - Verb), followed by (ちが)う 'to differ', (another う - Verb).
All together, this can be translated as '(A) depends on (B)'. More accurately though, the meaning is 'whether (A) will differ depending on (B)'. かは is regularly used after an entire phrase, followed by a noun and then によって(ちが).
  • 日本(にほん)()(きら)かは(ひと)によって(ちが)
    Whether they like Japan or not depends on the person.
  • (さけ)()んで(はだ)(あか)くなるかならないかは体質(たいしつ)によって(ちが)
    Whether someone's skin will turn red or not after drinking depends on the person.
  • (かわ)(なが)(はや)いか(おそ)いかは場所(ばしょ)によって(ちが)
    Whether the river flows fast or slow depends on the location.
Alternatively, かどうか may be used instead of かは. This changes the nuance from 'whether (A)', to 'whether or not (A)'. When translated directly, かどうか is quite similar to 'whether (A) or however'.
  • (じゅう)簡単(かんたん)()えるかどうか(くに)によって(ちが)
    Whether you can easily buy a gun or not depends on the country.
  • この(わざ)(すご)かどうか()(ひと)によって(ちが)
    Whether this trick is amazing or not depends on who judges.
Finally, this expression may also be seen without (ちが)う. In a sentence like this, 'differs' is simply removed, becoming 'whether (A) will depend on (B)'. As conjugation between the verbs is no longer required, によって will become による.
  • 今日(きょう)(はや)(かえ)れるか(かえ)ないかは仕事(しごと)(すす)具合(ぐあい)よる
    Whether I can go home early or not today will depend on how work goes.
  • 納豆(なっとう)()べられるか()べられないかは(ひと)(この)よる
    Whether or not a person can eat natto will depend on what they like.

Examples

  • 音楽(おんがく)()(きら)かは(ひと)それぞれによって(ちが)

    It depends on the person, whether they like music or not.

    Both 人によって違う and 人による are extremely common.

  • 果物(くだもの)(たか)どうかは季節(きせつ)によって(ちが)ます

    Whether fruit is expensive or not changes depending on the season.

  • (なに)()かは各人(かくじん)主観(しゅかん)によって(ちが)

    Whether something is good or not depends on each person's personal opinion.

  • 制服(せいふく)があるないかは学校(がっこう)によりますが、ほとんどの場合(ばあい)制服(せいふく)があることが普通(ふつう)らしいです。

    Whether there are school uniforms or not differs depending on the school, but they are pretty ordinary.

  • 何歳(なんさい)退職(たいしょく)できるかは(くに)によって(ちが)

    The age at which one can retire differs depending on the country.

  • Get more example sentences!

    Premium users get access to 12 example sentences on all Grammar Points.

Self-Study Sentences

Study your own way!

Add sentences and study them alongside Bunpro sentences.

〜かは〜によって違う – Grammar Discussion

Most Recent Replies (4 in total)

  • mrnoone

    mrnoone

    About 3 years ago

    @PowerAWBS

    Hey

    I have changed it according to the suggestion!

  • Pep95

    Pep95

    About 2 years ago

  • mrnoone

    mrnoone

    About 2 years ago

    @Pep95
    Thanks!
    Fixed

Got questions about 〜かは〜によって違う? Join us to discuss, ask, and learn together!

Join the Discussion