depende
/depende/from spelling rules
The Spanish phrase for "it depends" is depende.
You can use it as a standalone sentence when answering a question to mean "It depends." For example, you might say Depende. You can also expand the phrase to specify what the situation relies on, such as Depende del caso (It depends on the case) or Depende del contexto (It depends on the context). To express that a situation varies based on a person's perspective, you can use the informal phrase Depende de cómo se mire.
Meaning: it depends (phrase)
How does it change in a sentence?
When you want to say "depends on" in Spanish, the verb depende must be followed by the preposition de.
How do you pronounce it?
/depende/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid using depende en when trying to say "depends on". You should always use the preposition de to form depende de.
Did you know?
- The verb depender shares a root with the word pendiente, which means 'pending' or 'hanging'. This reflects the image of something hanging from a point of support.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, answering a question with a simple Depende can sometimes be perceived as slightly evasive or unhelpful. It is often more polite to immediately follow it with a brief explanation of the variables involved.
- Spanish uses depende in a way that mirrors the English 'it depends', but the Spanish version is more frequently used as a filler word to buy time while thinking of an answer.
Examples in context
- Eso depende del contexto.It depends on the context.This sentence shows how to use depende to say it depends on the context.Tatoeba #2539 by Shishir, translation #1333 by CK
- Depende de qué tan fuerte sea.It depends on how strong it is.This sentence demonstrates using depende to say it depends on how strong something is.Tatoeba #1690642 by marcelostockle, translation #1689876 by mookeee
- No estoy seguro de eso. Depende.I'm not sure about that. It depends.This sentence shows how depende can be used as a standalone sentence to answer a question.Tatoeba #1428192 by peibolvig, translation #42599 by CM
- Entonces, ¿aceptarás el puesto de trabajo? – Depende de las condiciones laborales.So, will you take the job? – It depends on the working conditions.
- ¿Podrás finalizar el proyecto para mañana? – Eso depende de cuánto trabajo adicional surja.Will you be able to finish the project by tomorrow? – That depends on how much additional work arises.
- ¿Crees que debería prestarle dinero? – Bueno, depende de la situación financiera de esa persona.Do you think I should lend them money? – Well, it depends on that person's financial situation.
- ¿Vendrás a la fiesta esta noche? – Pues depende de cómo me sienta después del trabajo.Are you coming to the party tonight? – Well, it depends on how I feel after work.
- ¿El examen será difícil? – Depende de cada caso, algunos lo encuentran fácil, otros más complicado.Will the exam be difficult? – It depends on each case, some find it easy, others more complicated.
- ¿Crees que ese libro es interesante? – Depende de cómo se mire, algunos lo encuentran fascinante, otros no tanto.Do you think that book is interesting? – It depends on how you look at it, some find it fascinating, others not so much.
- 18 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucía and Mateo are discussing plans for the weekend.
- Lucía¿Vas a ir a la fiesta, Mateo?Are you going to the party, Mateo?
- MateoNo lo sé, depende de mi trabajo.I don't know, it depends on my work.
- Lucía¡Espero que puedas ir!I hope you can go!
- MateoYo también, Lucía.Me too, Lucía.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry depende, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
