次第

• Reading: しだい
• Romaji: shidai
• Kanji breakdown: 次 (shi) — next, following; 第 (dai) — ordinal prefix, degree
• Pronunciation: /ɕi.da.i/

Meaning

Depending on; as soon as; order; circumstances. A versatile word expressing conditionality or sequence.

A suffix and noun with multiple related meanings. As a suffix after nouns, it means 'depending on' (天気次第, depending on the weather). After verb stems, it means 'as soon as' (届き次第, as soon as it arrives). As a standalone noun, it can mean 'order' or 'circumstances.' This is an important N3 grammar point as well as vocabulary.

Examples

1. 結果は努力次第で変わる。 The results change depending on your effort.
2. 届き次第すぐに連絡します。 I'll contact you as soon as it arrives.
3. やり方次第でもっとうまくいくはずだ。 Depending on how you do it, things should go even better.

Usage Guide

Context: formal speech, business, writing

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Composed of 次 (next, following) and 第 (ordinal prefix, degree). The combination originally meant order or sequence, later extending to mean dependence on circumstances.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal