Time and sequence

～次第

as soon as; depending on

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How to form it

  • Verb (ます-stem) + 次第
  • Noun + 次第

Register: Formal to neutral

Explanation

After a verb stem it means 'as soon as'. After a noun it means that the result depends on that factor.

With the 'as soon as' meaning, the second clause expresses the speaker's plan or action, not something that already happened.

Examples

  1. 結果が分かり次第、連絡します。

    けっかがわかりしだい、れんらくします。

    I will contact you as soon as I know the results.

  2. 準備ができ次第、出発しましょう。

    じゅんびができしだい、しゅっぱつしましょう。

    Let's leave as soon as we are ready.

  3. 成功するかどうかは、あなたの努力次第だ。

    せいこうするかどうかは、あなたのどりょくしだいだ。

    Whether you succeed depends on your effort.

Compare with

  • ～たとたん(に): たとたん is for a surprising event just after an action; 次第 plans what to do as soon as something happens.

Common mistakes

  • Using the 'as soon as' meaning with a past event. It points to a future plan or request.