Expressing "it depends" with "kan"

Although there are a number of ways to express "it depends" in Chinese, the most common ones in informal spoken Chinese involve the verb 看 (kàn). Some common expressions include 要看 (yào kàn) and 得看 (děi kàn). Both mean "(it) depends (on)." Literally, they would translate as "have to look at," so the logic is not hard to understand. If you're looking for more formal language, consider 取决于 (qǔjué yú), "to be dependent on."

Basic Pattern

If you're answering a question with "it depends on..." then this is the pattern you want. It's a bit simpler than 取决于 (qǔjué yú).

Structure

这 / 那 + 要看 / 得看 + [Unclear Situation]

Examples

Keep in mind that the "answers" below are meant to be an answer to some imaginary question that we don't include.

• 这 得看 你 的 时间 。Zhè děi kàn nǐ de shíjiān.This depends on when you are available.
• 这 得看 天气 怎么样 。Zhè děi kàn tiānqì zěnmeyàng.It depends on how the weather is.
• 那 得看 考试 结果 。Nà děi kàn kǎoshì jiéguō.That depends on whether the result of the test.
• 那 要看 他 愿 不 愿意 。Nà yào kàn tā yuàn bu yuànyì.That depends on whether he feels like it or not.
• 那 要看 老板 怎么 想 。Nà yào kàn lǎobǎn zěnme xiǎng.It depends on what the boss thinks.

Advanced Pattern

Structure

If you're going to write a full sentence explaining what "it" depends on, then you're going to need to lead off with some kind of explanation of the "unknown outcome" of what "it depends" on. So you'll start with the "unknown outcome" in the first part of the sentence (before 要看 / 得看), and then end up with what "it depends on" (after 要看 / 得看).

[Unknown Outcome] + 要看 / 得看 + [Unclear Situation]

The "unknown outcome" normally includes some kind of question word, meaning something like "whether or not x happens" or "what x does," etc.

Examples

• 我们 去 不 去 要看 他 。Wǒmen qù bu qù yào kàn tā.Whether we go or not depends on him.
• 学 不 学 钢琴 要看 孩子 的 兴趣 。Xué bu xué gāngqín yào kàn háizi de xìngqù.Whether to learn to play the piano or not depends on the child's interest.
• 能 不 能 留在 中国 要看 我 能 不 能 拿到 签证 。Néng bu néng liú zài Zhōngguó yào kàn wǒ néng bu néng nádào Qiānzhèng.Whether I can stay in China or not depends on whether or not I can get the visa.
• 发 不 发 红包 得看 老板 的 心情 。Fā bu fā hóngbāo děi kàn lǎobǎn de xīnqíng.Whether the boss will give us red packets or not depends on his mood.
• 谁 当 总统 得看 大选 的 结果 。Shéi dāng zǒngtǒng děi kàn dàxuǎn de jiéguǒ.Who will be the president depends on the result of the election.

Sources and further reading

Books

• Common Chinese Patterns 330 (汉语常用格式330例) (pp. 168) Anything Goes (无所不谈) →buy