〜次第

As Soon As/depends on

Level 3Sounds Like shidai

〜次第（しだい） is a versatile formal pattern used in business and professional settings. It primarily means 'as soon as' (after a verb or verbal noun), 'depends on' (after a noun), or explains the 'circumstances' of an action. Additionally, the adverbial form '次第に' means 'gradually'.

How It Works

〜次第（しだい） has three distinct functions, plus a common adverbial form and a formal noun usage:

1. As soon as (Immediate Sequence)
Attached to the ます-stem of a verb or directly to a verbal noun (Suru-noun). Note: For Suru-verbs, drop the する entirely (e.g., 確認次第, not 確認し次第). It indicates that action B will happen immediately after action A is finished. It is formal and used for future intentions. Crucially, the second clause must express the speaker's intention, a request, or a command. The second clause cannot describe natural occurrences or events outside the speaker's control (though the first clause can, e.g., as soon as it stops raining). Additionally, this pattern cannot be used to describe past events or outcomes.
Structure: Verb [ます-stem] + 次第 / Noun [verbal noun] (without する) + 次第
Example: 終了次第（しゅうりょうしだい） - As soon as it finishes.

2. Depends on (Determination)
Attached to a noun. It indicates that the outcome is entirely decided by that noun. It is similar to 〜によって, but emphasizes that the noun is the 'key' factor. The form changes depending on its position in the sentence: 〜次第だ is used at the end of a sentence, 〜次第で is used in the middle of a sentence to connect clauses, and 〜次第では highlights a specific possibility (often followed by 〜かもしれない). This pattern can also follow a 'whether or not' clause using 〜か〜ないか, where 次第 attaches directly to the question particle か (e.g., 成功するかしないか次第だ).
Structure: Noun + 次第だ / 次第で / 次第では

3. Circumstances (Explanation)
Used at the end of a sentence to explain the background or reasons for a formal action (like an apology or a report). This usage is almost exclusively found in business Japanese or formal writing and sounds incredibly stiff in daily conversation. The 〜た次第です (past plain form) is very frequently used to explain how a situation came to be. It attaches to the noun-modifying form (連体形), meaning it can also attach directly to い-adjectives (e.g., 心苦しい次第です) and な-adjectives (often using である, e.g., 複雑である次第です). It is also common to see the variation 〜という次第です, which is frequently used in business contexts to soften the tone of an explanation.
Structure: Verb/Adjective [Noun-modifying form] + 次第です / 〜という次第です

Note: 次第に (Adverb)
The form 次第に（しだいに）is used as an adverb meaning 'gradually' or 'little by little,' often paired with verbs showing change.

Note: Formal Noun Usage
次第 can also be used as a formal noun meaning 'program' or 'order of events,' such as in 式次第（しきしだい - program of a ceremony）.

Examples (5)

  1. 準備が整い次第、出発いたします。

    We will depart as soon as preparations are complete.

    Word by Word: Preparations (subject) be ready as soon as, departure do (humble).

    Here, 次第 is attached to the stem of 整う（ととのう）. It shows a professional commitment to act immediately once the condition is met.

  2. 詳しいことが分かり次第、ご連絡します。

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

    Word by Word: Detailed things (subject) understand as soon as, contact will do.

    A very common business phrase used when the timing of getting information is uncertain but the follow-up is guaranteed.

  3. 行くか行かないかは、天気次第です。

    Whether we go or not depends on the weather.

    Word by Word: Go or not go (topic), weather depends on is.

    When attached to the noun 天気（てんき）, it shows that the weather is the deciding factor for the plan.

  4. 考え方次第で、人生は変わります。

    Life changes depending on your way of thinking.

    Word by Word: Way of thinking depending on, life (topic) changes.

    次第で is used here to show that the 'way of thinking' is the instrument or reason for the change in life.

  5. このような事情で、本日欠席した次第です。

    Due to these circumstances, I was absent today (that is the explanation).

    Word by Word: This kind of circumstances due to, today absented circumstances is.

    Used at the end of a formal report to summarize the 'why' behind an action.

Common Mistakes

  • Using 次第 for past events.

    家に着き次第、ご飯を食べた。
    家に着いたらすぐ、ご飯を食べた。

    次第 cannot be used to describe things that already happened in the past. Use 〜たらすぐ or 〜たとたん for past sequences.

  • Using it for natural phenomena outside of human control.

    雨が降り次第、道が濡れる。
    雨が降るとすぐ、道が濡れる。

    次第 usually implies a sequence leading to a human intention or planned action. It sounds awkward when used for simple cause-and-effect in nature.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

〜次第Level 3As Soon As/depends on

Learn This First

To understand 〜次第, you need to know how to form verb stems (ます-form) because the 'immediate sequence' meaning attaches directly to them. You also need to understand basic noun-particle relationships, as the 'dependence' meaning functions like a noun or follows a noun directly.

Words in This Pattern

次第