Usage of 取决
The verb 取决 (qǔjué) means "to depend on" or "to be determined by." It is commonly used to express that the outcome or decision is contingent upon certain factors.
Common Contexts
You will often see 取决 followed by 于 (yú), which introduces the condition or factor that influences the result, e.g., 取决于你的选择 (depends on your choice). This structure is very common in both spoken and written Chinese.
Collocations and Patterns
- 取决于 + noun/phrase: indicates what something depends on.
- 成功取决于...: a common phrase meaning "success depends on..."
- 取决于情况: "depends on the situation"
Nuances
Using 取决 emphasizes that the result is not fixed but conditional. It is more formal than some colloquial alternatives and is suitable for academic, business, and everyday contexts.
Common Confusion
Do not confuse 取决 with 决定 (juédìng), which means "to decide." 取决 focuses on dependency, while 决定 emphasizes the act of making a decision.