It depends
in SpanishDepende
/deh-PEN-deh/
This is the most direct and universally understood way to say 'it depends.' It's a simple, one-word answer that works perfectly in both formal and informal situations.
Which way to go? Sometimes, the best answer is 'Depende.' This simple word is your key to handling uncertainty in any Spanish conversation.
💬Other Ways to Say It
Depende de...
/deh-PEN-deh deh.../
This is the full version, used to specify exactly what something depends on. It's the Spanish equivalent of 'It depends on...'
Todo depende
/TOH-doh deh-PEN-deh/
Meaning 'Everything depends,' this is a slightly more emphatic way to express the idea. It suggests that many factors are at play.
Eso depende
/EH-soh deh-PEN-deh/
This translates to 'That depends.' It's used to refer back to a specific topic or question that was just mentioned.
Según
/seh-GOON/
A very useful and concise alternative to 'Depende de.' It means 'Depending on' or 'According to.'
Ya veremos
/yah veh-REH-mos/
While not a direct translation, 'We'll see' is used in many of the same situations as 'it depends.' It expresses uncertainty about a future event.
Según se mire
/seh-GOON seh MEE-reh/
This means 'It depends on how you look at it.' It’s a more thoughtful or philosophical way to say 'it depends.'
Es relativo
/es rreh-lah-TEE-voh/
Meaning 'It's relative,' this is another way to express that there's no absolute answer, similar to 'Según se mire.'
🔑Key Words
Key Words to learn:
📊Quick Comparison
Here’s a quick guide to help you choose the best way to say 'it depends' based on the situation.
| Phrase | Formality | Best For | Avoid When |
|---|---|---|---|
| Depende | Neutral | A quick, universal answer that works in any context. | When you want to be very specific without adding more information. |
| Depende de... | Neutral | Explaining the specific condition or factor. | You don't need to specify; a simple 'Depende' is enough. |
| Según | Neutral | A slightly more advanced and concise way to say 'Depende de...' | You're a beginner and more comfortable with the directness of 'Depende de...' |
| Ya veremos | Informal | Talking about uncertain future plans or outcomes. | In a formal business setting where a more concrete answer is expected. |
| Según se mire | Neutral | Discussing subjective opinions or complex issues with multiple viewpoints. | Answering a simple factual question. |
📈Difficulty Level
Very easy. The sounds are all familiar to English speakers. Just stress the middle syllable: deh-PEN-deh.
The concept is simple, but the key challenge is consistently remembering to use the preposition 'de' afterwards, instead of 'en' or nothing at all.
Usage is very similar to English. The main nuance is knowing when to elaborate to avoid sounding too blunt.
Key Challenges:
- Remembering to always use 'de' after 'depende'
- Distinguishing when to use 'Depende' vs. 'Ya veremos'
💡Examples in Action
—¿Vienes a la fiesta esta noche? —Depende. ¿A qué hora empieza?
—Are you coming to the party tonight? —It depends. What time does it start?
El costo del hotel depende de la temporada.
The cost of the hotel depends on the season.
—¿Crees que el examen será difícil? —Pues, según se mire. Para mí, la parte de gramática es fácil, pero la de escuchar no.
—Do you think the exam will be difficult? —Well, it depends on how you look at it. For me, the grammar part is easy, but the listening part isn't.
—¿Terminarás el proyecto para el viernes? —Ya veremos. Todavía hay mucho trabajo por hacer.
—Will you finish the project by Friday? —We'll see. There's still a lot of work to do.
🌍Cultural Context
The Art of Being Non-Committal
Just like in English, 'Depende' and 'Ya veremos' can be polite ways to avoid giving a direct 'yes' or 'no.' It allows you to keep your options open without sounding rude or overly direct. It's a very common social tool in Spanish-speaking cultures.
Always Explain 'Why'
While a simple 'Depende' is grammatically correct, it can sometimes feel a bit short or dismissive in conversation. It's very natural and friendly to immediately follow it up with the reason, by saying 'Depende de...' or asking a clarifying question.
The Power of 'Según'
'Según' is a fantastic word that packs a lot of meaning into a small package. Using it instead of 'Depende de' can make your Spanish sound more natural and fluid. It's a small change that signals a higher level of comfort with the language.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Forgetting the 'de'
Mistake: "Learners often say, 'Depende el clima' because in English we say 'depends on the weather.'"
Correction: Depende del clima.
Using the Wrong Preposition
Mistake: "Translating 'on' directly and saying 'Depende en la situación.'"
Correction: Depende de la situación.
Incorrect Literal Translation
Mistake: "Trying to translate 'it depends' word-for-word as 'Lo depende' or 'Ello depende.'"
Correction: Depende.
💡Pro Tips
Add 'Pues...' to Sound More Natural
To sound less abrupt, you can add 'Pues...' (Well...) before you say 'Depende.' It adds a natural pause and makes you sound more like a native speaker. For example: 'Pues... depende de la hora.'
Master 'Depende de si...'
To take it to the next level, learn how to say 'It depends on if...' The structure is 'Depende de si + [verb phrase].' For example, 'Depende de si tengo tiempo' (It depends on if I have time).
Know When to Use 'Ya veremos'
Use 'Depende' for conditions in the present ('Does this shirt look good? Depends on the pants.'). Use 'Ya veremos' for uncertain outcomes in the future ('Will we win the game? We'll see.').
🗺️Regional Variations
Universal
'Depende' is one of the most stable and universally understood words in Spanish. You can use it confidently anywhere from Madrid to Mexico City to Buenos Aires and be perfectly understood.
Argentina
While the phrase itself is the same, it's often used with the 'voseo' form in follow-up questions. A friend might ask, '¿De qué depende, vos?' (What does it depend on, you?).
Spain
The expression 'Según se mire' might be slightly more common in Spain in intellectual or nuanced discussions. Also, the casual follow-up might use 'tú': '¿De qué depende, tío?' (What's it depend on, dude?).
💬What Comes Next?
You answer a question with 'Depende.'
¿De qué depende?
What does it depend on?
Depende del tráfico.
It depends on the traffic.
You say you're not sure about future plans.
¿Pero hay alguna posibilidad?
But is there any possibility?
Sí, claro. Ya veremos.
Yes, of course. We'll see.
🧠Memory Tricks
This is a 'cognate,' a word that's shared between languages. It makes 'Depende' one of the easiest words to remember.
This connects the grammatical rule to a simple, memorable (though incorrect in English) phrase, making it easier to recall in conversation.
🔄How It Differs from English
The biggest structural difference is the preposition. English uses 'on' ('it depends on'), while Spanish requires 'de' ('depende de'). Forgetting this is the most common mistake for English speakers. Also, Spanish doesn't need the pronoun 'it'; 'Depende' is a full sentence by itself.
False Friends & Common Confusions:
Why it's different: Translating 'on' to 'en' is a direct translation error.
Use instead: Always use 'de' with the verb 'depender.' The phrase is 'depender de algo.'
🎯Your Learning Path
➡️ Learn Next:
How to say 'I'm not sure'
This is another key phrase for expressing uncertainty, often used in similar situations as 'Depende.'
How to say 'Maybe'
Learning words like 'Quizás' or 'Tal vez' expands your toolkit for being non-committal or talking about possibilities.
How to say 'What do you mean?'
After someone says 'Depende,' a natural next step is to ask for clarification, making this a useful conversational pairing.
✏️Test Your Knowledge
💡 Quick Quiz: It depends
Question 1 of 3
Your friend asks, '¿Vamos al cine o a cenar?' (Should we go to the movies or to dinner?). How do you say 'It depends on the time'?
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the real difference between 'Depende' and 'Según'?
They are very similar and often interchangeable! Think of 'Según' as a slightly more fluid, advanced synonym for 'Depende de.' For example, 'Depende del precio' and 'Según el precio' both mean 'It depends on the price.' Using 'Según' will make you sound a little more like a native speaker.
Is it rude to just say 'Depende' and nothing else?
It's not necessarily rude, but it can feel a bit abrupt, just like in English. In a friendly conversation, it's always better to follow up with a reason or a question, like 'Depende. ¿Por qué?' (It depends. Why?) or 'Depende del día.' (It depends on the day).
How do I say 'It depends on IF...' something happens?
Great question! You use the structure 'Depende de si...' followed by the rest of your phrase. For example, 'I'll go to the beach, but it depends on if it's sunny' would be 'Iré a la playa, pero depende de si hace sol.'
Can I use 'depender' for relying on a person?
Yes, but it's less common than in English. For saying 'You can count on me,' it's more natural to say 'Puedes contar conmigo' than 'Puedes depender de mí.' 'Depender de' is more frequently used for conditions and situations.
Is 'Depende' formal or informal?
It's perfectly neutral! That's what makes it so useful. You can use 'Depende' with your boss, your best friend, or a stranger on the street, and it will always be appropriate.
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