Expressing "it depends" with "kan"
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Keywords
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.
Contents
Basic Pattern
If you're answering a question with "it depends on..." then this is the pattern you want.
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 。This depends on when you are available.
- 那 要 看 他 愿 不 愿意 。That depends on whether he is willing or not.
- 这 得 看 天气 怎么样 。It depends on how the weather is.
- 那 要 看 老板 怎么 想 。It depends on what the boss thinks.
- 那 得 看 考试 结果 。That depends on the result of the test.
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
- 去不去 得 看 我 的 心情 。Whether or not I go depends on my mood.
- 什么时候 去 要 看 公司 的 安排 。When we go depends on the company's arrangements.
- 学 音乐 还是 学 画画 要 看 孩子 的 兴趣 。Whether to study music or drawing depends on your child's interest.
- 能不能 留在 中国 要 看 我 能 不 能 拿到 签证 。Whether or not I can stay in China depends on whether or not I can get a visa.
- 谁 当 总统 得 看 大选 的 结果 。Who the next president will be depends on the result of the election.
If you're looking for more formal language, consider 取决于 (qǔjué yú), "to be determined by."
See also
Sources and further reading
Books