次第／次第だ／次第では

Meaning

次第 has three main uses: (1) When attached to verb stems (masu-form) or action nouns, it means 'immediately after/as soon as' that action occurs. (2) In the pattern 次第だ/次第で, it expresses the reason or circumstance that led to a result. (3) When attached to nouns as 名詞次第だ/では, it indicates that something depends on or is determined by that noun or person's circumstances.

Formation

Examples

1. わかり次第 明白了就马上
   As soon as (someone) understands

2. 到着次第 到了以后就马上
   Upon arrival; as soon as (someone) arrives

3. ご都合のつき次第、私にお電話ください。
   Please call me whenever it is convenient for you

4. 商品のサンプルが到着次第テストします。
   As soon as the product sample arrives, we will test it

5. この格安ツアーの申込みは満員になり次第締め切りとさせていただきます。
   This budget tour will close as soon as it reaches full capacity

6. 以上のような次第で、来週のイベントは中止させていただきます。
   For the above reasons, this week's event will be cancelled

7. そんな次第で明日はお会いすることができません。
   For that reason, I cannot meet you tomorrow

8. 社長が海外出張のため、本日の会議ではわたくしが援助させていただいている次第でございます。
   Since the company president is on an overseas business trip, I am the one assisting at today's meeting

9. 検査の結果次第では、入院するかどうか決まります。
   Whether or not hospitalization is necessary will be determined by the test results

10. 値段は品物次第です。
    The price depends on the quality of the product

11. わたしがこのプロジェクトに参加すべきかどうかはすべてあなた次第ですよ。
    Whether I should participate in this project entirely depends on you

Summary

• Use 次第 with verb masu-form or action nouns to express immediate succession: 'as soon as X happens, then Y'
• Use 次第だ/次第で to explain the reason, cause, or circumstance leading to a result in formal/polite contexts
• Use 名詞次第だ/では to show that something is determined by or depends on a person's will, decision, or a thing's condition