Meaning & Usage
✨ Basic Meaning
「次第(しだい)」 has two primary meanings: 1) “as soon as; immediately upon” and 2) “depending on; it depends on”.
🎯 Primary Function
It primarily functions to indicate either an immediate subsequent action that will occur directly after the completion of a preceding action (meaning 1), or that a result or situation is contingent upon a certain condition or circumstance (meaning 2).
📋 Grammar Structure
1. Verb ます-stem + 次第 (しだい) (e.g., 終わり次第 – as soon as it finishes)
2. Noun + 次第 (しだい) (e.g., 天候次第 – depending on the weather)
🎭 Usage Contexts
Formal Situations
Highly prevalent in formal settings, business communication, public announcements, and official correspondence.
Informal Situations
Rarely used in casual, informal conversations among friends or family, as it carries a strong formal tone.
Written Language
Commonly found in written documents, reports, emails, and official statements.
Spoken Language
Used in spoken Japanese in formal contexts such as business meetings, customer service, or public speaking, but avoided in daily casual speech.
💡 Common Applications
Business Communication & Customer Service
Used to convey a prompt response or action once a condition is met, assuring the recipient of a timely follow-up.
Example: 資料が届き次第、すぐに内容を確認いたします。 (As soon as the materials arrive, I will check the contents immediately.)
Public Announcements & Official Notices
To inform the public or a group about actions that will be taken once a specific event occurs.
Example: 準備が整い次第、開場いたします。 (The venue will open as soon as preparations are complete.)
Expressing Contingency/Dependency
To state that an outcome, decision, or situation is determined by a particular factor.
Example: 今後の対応は、先方の返答次第です。 (Future action depends on the other party’s response.)
Frequency
Moderately frequent in formal and business contexts; less frequent in daily casual conversation.
Difficulty
Intermediate to Advanced (JLPT N2). Learners need to distinguish its two meanings and understand its formal nuance.
Example Sentences
ご注文の品は、準備ができ次第、発送いたします。
Your order will be shipped as soon as preparations are complete.
結果が分かり次第、すぐにご連絡いたします。
As soon as the results are known, I will contact you immediately.
今後の計画は、予算次第で変わる可能性があります。
Future plans may change depending on the budget.
Notes & Nuances
📌 Important Points
Immediacy in V-masu + 次第
When used with a verb, 「次第」 implies that the subsequent action will occur *immediately* after the preceding action is completed, with no significant delay.
Example: 会議が終わり次第、お電話ください。 (Please call me as soon as the meeting finishes. – Implies a call right after the meeting ends.)
No Volitional/Desire/Prohibition with V-masu + 次第
The second clause of V-masu + 次第 typically expresses an action that will definitely happen or is a direct result, often a statement of fact, intention, or request. It generally does not take volitional, speculative, or prohibitive forms.
Example: 到着次第、連絡します。(Correct) / 到着次第、連絡したい。(Incorrect – as it expresses desire)
⚠️ Common Mistakes
❌ Using casual forms with 「次第」
✅ Always maintain a formal tone when using 「次第」, especially the V-masu + 次第 form.
「次第」 inherently carries a formal nuance, so pairing it with casual verb endings or expressions sounds unnatural and impolite.
❌ Expressing personal desire/hope after V-masu + 次第
✅ The clause following V-masu + 次第 should be a definitive action, statement, or request, not a personal desire or speculation.
「次第」 implies a certain or definite action or consequence. Expressions of personal hope or desire like 「～たい」 or 「～だろう」 do not fit this nuance.
🏛️ Cultural Context
Politeness Level: High politeness level. It is often used in business contexts and situations requiring respectful and clear communication.
Social Situations: Appropriate for business settings, official announcements, formal requests, and when addressing superiors or clients. Less common in casual social interactions.
Regional Variations: The meaning and usage of 「次第」 are standard across regions of Japan; there are no significant regional variations in its grammatical function.
🔍 Subtle Differences
次第 vs. ～たら (conditional)
「次第」 emphasizes immediate action upon completion, often in formal contexts. 「～たら」 is a more general conditional “if/when” and doesn’t always imply immediacy or formality.
When to use: Use 「次第」 when you want to strongly convey “immediately after” in a formal context. Use 「～たら」 for general conditionals or “when” statements.
次第 vs. ～てから (after doing X)
「次第」 implies immediate, prompt action. 「～てから」 simply states that one action happens after another, without necessarily emphasizing immediacy.
When to use: Use 「次第」 when urgency and promptness are key. Use 「～てから」 when the sequence of events is the main point, without strict immediacy.
次第 vs. ～による / ～によって (depending on)
While N + 次第 and N + による can both mean “depending on,” 「次第」 often focuses on the *outcome* or *result* being dependent on something. 「による」 can also refer to cause, means, or source.
When to use: Use N + 次第 when stating that a decision, outcome, or plan is contingent upon something. Use 「～による」 when the nuance is more about the reason, method, or source.
📝 Conjugation Notes
For verbs, always attach 「次第」 to the ます-stem (masu-form without ます). For nouns, simply attach 「次第」 directly to the noun.
🔊 Pronunciation Tips
The “しだい” part is pronounced with a flat intonation (shi-DA-i) rather than a rising one. Practice saying it smoothly after the verb stem or noun.
🧠 Memory Tips
Think of 「次第」 as signifying “next in sequence” for verbs (like a green light for the next action) and “decision based on” for nouns (like scales balancing based on an input).
Vocabulary List
資料
shiryō
materials; data
届く
todoku
to arrive; to reach
連絡する
renraku suru
to contact; to get in touch
準備
junbi
preparation
できる
dekiru
to be able to; to be ready
出発する
shuppatsu suru
to depart
結果
result
Kanji List
次
ji / shidai
next / depending on
第
dai / shidai
order; number / depending on
資
shi
resources
料
ryō
materials; fee
届
todo
to reach; to arrive
連
ren
connect
絡
raku
entwine
準
jun
standard; prepare
備
bi
prepare
出
shu(ppatsu)
exit; leave
発
ppatsu
start; discharge
Practice Exercises
以下の文で正しいものを選びなさい。
「会議が（ ）、すぐに結果を報告します。」
終わったら
終わってから
終わり次第
終わるなら
（ ）で、イベントの開催が決まります。
天気によって
天気次第
天気と
天気なら
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