Ikan de wa: Depending On / All According To

Meaning & Usage

The N1 grammar point 「いかんでは」(ikan de wa) is a formal expression. It indicates that an outcome, state, or nature of something is contingent upon, or determined by, a preceding factor. It is best understood by phrases like "depending on," "all according to," or "contingent upon." This pattern highlights a strong dependency: the subsequent action or result directly varies based on the condition introduced by 「いかん」.

Unlike simpler conditional forms such as 「〜たら」 (tara) or 「〜ば」 (ba), 「いかんでは」 carries a more formal and somewhat authoritative nuance. You'll frequently encounter it in written Japanese, official documents, news reports, business communications, and public announcements. While you might hear it in spoken Japanese, its usage is typically reserved for formal discussions or presentations, not casual conversation. Its formality also suggests that the dependency described is often significant, leading to potentially important or varied outcomes.

「いかんでは」 often implies a range of possibilities or outcomes, all determined by the specified condition. For instance, if a decision is made 「状況いかんでは」 (jōkyō ikan de wa, depending on the situation), it means that various situations could arise, and the decision will adapt accordingly. This makes it distinct from simple 'if' statements, as it highlights a responsive, adaptive, or variable consequence rather than a single, fixed one.

To grasp this concept clearly, consider 「いかんでは」 as establishing a crucial turning point. Everything that follows this grammar point is entirely shaped by the preceding noun or phrase. It's like saying, "The entire subsequent course of action or state will be dictated by [X]." This differs from a simple conditional "if X, then Y" because 「いかんでは」 often suggests: "if X happens in way A, then Y will be Z; if X happens in way B, then Y will be W; and so on." It covers a spectrum of possibilities determined by the condition.

While similar to 「〜によって」 (ni yotte) in conveying "depending on," 「いかんでは」 typically implies a more significant or critical dependency. 「〜によって」 can describe a simple difference, such as 「人によって意見が違う」 (Hito ni yotte iken ga chigau, Opinions differ depending on the person). However, 「いかんでは」 usually precedes a statement about a decision, policy, or course of action that will be determined by the preceding factor. For example, 「成績いかんでは、奨学金が給付される」 (Seiseki ikan de wa, shōgakukin ga kyūfu sareru, Depending on one's grades, a scholarship will be awarded) implies a direct and crucial link influencing a substantial outcome.

Structure & Formation

The formation of 「いかんでは」 is quite direct, primarily attaching to nouns or noun phrases. It can also follow an interrogative word combined with 「か」 to form a noun-like clause, emphasizing the "how" or "what" aspect of the dependency.

The most common patterns are:

• Noun + いかんでは
• Noun + の + いかんでは (adds slight emphasis on the noun as the determining factor)
• (Interrogative + か) + いかんでは (e.g., 状況がどうなるか いかんでは)

Let's look at some examples:

While some sources might include verb forms, it's generally more natural and common to use noun forms or nominalized clauses with 「いかんでは」. For instance, instead of trying to attach it directly to a verb, one would typically use a noun that encapsulates the action or state (e.g., 「努力」 for "to endeavor," 「判断」 for "to judge").

The particle 「では」 can sometimes be replaced by 「によっては」 (ni yotte wa), which also means "depending on." However, 「によっては」 can carry a slightly softer or more varied nuance, suggesting that among multiple possibilities, this specific one might occur. In contrast, 「いかんでは」 more strongly asserts a direct dependency and the potential for a decisive outcome.

Example Sentences

General Usage & Decisions

Business & Policy Context

Conditional Outcomes & Futures

Common Mistakes

Mistake 1: Using it too casually or informally

❌ 来週らいしゅうのパーティー、気分きぶんいかんでは行いくかも。

✅ 来週らいしゅうのパーティー、気分きぶんによっては行いくかも。

「いかんでは」 is a formal expression. Using it in casual conversation, especially about personal feelings or trivial matters, sounds unnatural and overly stiff. For casual "depending on," 「〜によっては」 (ni yotte wa) or even simpler conditional forms are much more appropriate.

Mistake 2: Attaching directly to verb forms without nominalization

❌ 彼かれが来くるいかんでは、計画けいかくを変更へんこうする。

✅ 彼かれの参加さんかいかんでは、計画けいかくを変更へんこうする。

「いかんでは」 primarily attaches to nouns or noun phrases. While you can construct a noun-like clause with interrogatives (e.g., 「〜かどうか」 + いかんでは), directly attaching it to a plain verb form (e.g., Vる) is grammatically incorrect. You need to nominalize the verb or phrase, often by converting it into a noun (like 「参加」 for "coming/participating").

Mistake 3: Confusing with simple "if" statements (〜たら/〜ば)

❌ 雨あめがいかんでは、中止ちゅうしします。

✅ 雨量うりょういかんでは、中止ちゅうしします。

While "depending on the rain" (雨いかんでは) is technically possible, it's more specific to say what aspect of the rain is being depended upon. 「いかんでは」 often implies a more nuanced or measurable factor. Simply "if it rains" would be 「雨が降ったら」. When using 「いかんでは」, specify the noun clearly (e.g., 「雨量」 - rainfall amount, 「天気」 - weather conditions) that the outcome is contingent upon.

Mistake 4: Overlooking the "determining factor" nuance

❌ この料理りょうりは好すきな材料ざいりょういかんでは、おいしい。

✅ この料理りょうりは使つかう材料ざいりょういかんでは、おいしくなる。

The mistake here is in the consequence. 「いかんでは」 implies that the outcome or state is determined by the preceding factor. Saying "delicious" (おいしい) as a static state is less natural. Instead, the outcome should reflect a change or variability based on the factor, such as "becomes delicious" (おいしくなる) or "can be delicious." The phrase sets up a condition that causes a variable result.

Cultural Notes

「いかんでは」 is a strong example of how keigo (honorific language) and formal expressions shape various aspects of Japanese society, particularly in professional and institutional contexts. Its usage reflects a societal emphasis on precision, responsibility, and outlining clear conditions for actions or decisions.

In daily spoken Japanese among friends or family, you will almost never hear 「いかんでは」. Instead, people rely on simpler, more direct conditional phrases like 「〜次第で」 (shidai de), 「〜によって」 (ni yotte), or even casual "〜だったら" (dattara). The choice of 「いかんでは」 immediately signals a heightened level of formality, seriousness, and often, an official or public stance.

You will frequently encounter 「いかんでは」 in these contexts:

• Official Announcements: Public bodies or companies use it when communicating policy changes, event cancellations, or important decisions. For example, a notice about a sports event might say, 「天候いかんでは、中止となります」 (Tenkō ikan de wa, chūshi to narimasu, Depending on the weather, it will be canceled).
• Business Documents: Contracts, reports, proposals, and official emails often use this to specify conditions under which terms might change or decisions will be made.
• News Reports: Journalists frequently employ it to describe potential developments or conditions governing future events, lending an objective and formal tone to their reporting.
• Legal Contexts: In laws, regulations, and legal contracts, where precision and clear conditional statements are paramount, 「いかんでは」 is a fitting choice.

The use of formal language like 「いかんでは」 subtly reinforces a culture where circumstances and conditions are carefully considered before action is taken. It also ensures the implications of those conditions are clearly stated to avoid ambiguity. This conveys a sense of thoroughness and a proactive approach to potential variations in a situation.

JLPT Tips

For the JLPT N1 exam, understanding 「いかんでは」 involves more than just knowing its English translation. Here are some tips to help you master it:

First, focus on its formality and context. Recognize that this is a high-level, formal expression. If you encounter it in a reading comprehension passage, expect the text to be official, academic, news-related, or business-oriented. Should it appear in a listening section, it will likely be in a speech, presentation, or formal announcement. This understanding can help you infer the overall tone and purpose of the communication.

Second, pay close attention to the noun or noun phrase that precedes 「いかんでは」. This noun represents the primary determining factor. JLPT questions might test your ability to correctly identify what the subsequent action or state is contingent upon. For instance, if a sentence reads 「成績いかんでは、奨学金が給付される」, you should immediately understand that the scholarship (奨学金) is directly tied to the grades (成績).

Third, distinguish it from similar-sounding grammar points. As discussed in the "Related Grammar" section, patterns like 「〜によって」 and 「〜次第で」 can sometimes overlap. The defining characteristic of 「いかんでは」 often lies in its strong emphasis on the determining nature of the condition, leading to potentially varied and significant outcomes. It frequently implies a definitive decision or change of course based on that factor.

Fourth, be aware of its typical sentence structure. It usually forms a conditional clause at the beginning or middle of a sentence, followed by the outcome or consequence. The consequence often involves actions, decisions, or changes in policy/status, rather than simple descriptive statements. Look for verbs expressing change (なる, 変わる), necessity (必要がある), possibility (可能性がある), or determination (決定される).

Finally, practice reading and listening to authentic N1-level materials. The more you expose yourself to how native speakers and formal texts use 「いかんでは」, the more intuitive its meaning and appropriate usage will become. Try rephrasing sentences using other conditional forms to see if the nuance changes, which will further deepen your understanding of its specific role.