según
“según” means “according to” in Spanish. It has 4 different meanings depending on context:
according to
Also: as stated by, in the opinion of
📝 In Action
Según el mapa, la estación está a dos calles.
A2According to the map, the station is two blocks away.
Según mi abuela, el té de manzanilla cura todo.
A2According to my grandmother, chamomile tea cures everything.
Todo salió según el plan.
B1Everything went according to plan.
depending on
Also: based on
📝 In Action
El precio del hotel varía según la temporada.
B1The hotel price varies depending on the season.
Podemos ir a la playa o a la montaña, según el tiempo que haga.
B1We can go to the beach or the mountains, depending on the weather.
Cada persona reacciona de forma diferente según su personalidad.
B2Each person reacts differently depending on their personality.
as
Also: just as
📝 In Action
Hazlo según te expliqué.
B1Do it as I explained to you.
Según avanzaba la noche, la fiesta se animaba más.
B2As the night went on, the party got more lively.
El niño dibujaba el paisaje según lo veía desde la ventana.
B2The child drew the landscape just as he saw it from the window.
it depends
📝 In Action
-¿Vas a venir a la cena? -Según.
B1-Are you coming to dinner? -It depends.
-¿Te gustó la película? -Según, tuvo partes buenas y malas.
B2-Did you like the movie? -It depends, it had good and bad parts.
🔀 Commonly Confused With
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✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: según
Question 1 of 3
Which sentence correctly uses 'según' to mean 'depending on'?
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🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼
Comes from the Latin word 'secundum', which meant 'following' or 'coming after in order'. This is the same root as the Spanish word 'segundo' (second). The idea evolved from 'what comes next' to 'in accordance with' something.
First recorded: 12th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between 'según' and 'dependiendo de'?
They are very similar and often interchangeable when they mean 'depending on'. The main difference is that 'dependiendo' always needs 'de' after it, while 'según' never does. For example: 'Dependiendo del clima...' and 'Según el clima...' both mean 'Depending on the weather...'.
Can I use 'según que'?
Generally, no. 'Según' is not followed by 'que' in the same way other Spanish words are. If you want to connect it to a full sentence with a verb, you just put the sentence right after it, like: 'Según dice mi mamá, ...' (According to what my mom says,...).
Is 'según' formal or informal?
It's a neutral word that fits in almost any situation, from a casual conversation to a formal report. The only use that leans informal is when you say 'Según' by itself to mean 'It depends'.