How to use "Dipende": Italian Grammar Lesson 88

Q: What goes before 'dipende'?

We can use 'dipende' with a specific subject or on its own (without a subject) because we usually refer to a situation or a context that we mentioned just before and we don’t want to repeat.

Q: How to form questions with dipende?

We can just ask 'da cosa dipende?' or 'da che dipende?', which means “what does it depend on?”

Key Takeaways

The word dipende translates to "it depends" and expresses uncertainty in various situations.
Use dipende as a standalone answer to indicate that the response is not straightforward.
Combine dipende with the preposition da to specify factors influencing a situation.
Follow dipende da with a noun for simple contexts, like weather or price.
For more complex explanations, use dipende da followed by a clause detailing the influencing factors.

Stefano's Insights

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Ah, 'dipende', una parola magica in italiano! Come il ritornello di una canzone, la usiamo per esprimere l'incertezza della vita. Può stare da sola o accompagnata da 'da', seguita da un soggetto specifico. È perfetta per quelle situazioni in cui tutto è in bilico, come quando dico ai miei studenti che il loro successo 'dipende' da quanto studiano. Ricordo una volta, un amico mi chiese se avrei partecipato a una festa. La mia risposta? 'Dipende... da quanto vino ci sarà!' Insomma, 'dipende' è il nostro modo elegante di dire 'vedremo' o 'non lo so ancora'. E tu, cosa dipende nella tua vita?

Ah, 'dipende', a magical word in Italian! Like the refrain of a song, we use it to express life's uncertainties. It can stand alone or be accompanied by 'da', followed by a specific subject. It's perfect for those situations where everything is up in the air, like when I tell my students their success 'depends' on how much they study. I remember once a friend asked if I would attend a party. My answer? 'It depends... on how much wine there will be!' In short, 'dipende' is our elegant way of saying 'we'll see' or 'I don't know yet'. And you, what does depend in your life?

Quick facts

What does "dipende" mean in Italian?

"Dipende" means "it depends" in Italian, indicating reliance on a variable.

Can "dipende" be used without a subject?

Yes, "dipende" can stand alone, implying context from previous statements.

How does "dipende" function with a specific subject?

When preceding a noun, "dipende" specifies what the situation relies on, like "Il concetto di bellezza dipende dalla cultura."

What should follow "dipende" to continue the sentence?

Use "dipende da..." followed by a noun or pronoun, such as "dipende dai miei genitori."

Are there variations of "da" used with "dipende"?

Yes, depending on the noun's gender and number, use dal, dallo, dalla, dai, dalle, or dagli.

Can "dipende" introduce a longer sentence?

Yes, it can lead with words like come, quando, and cosa, e.g., "dipende da come si sente."

How do you ask what something depends on in Italian?

Ask "da cosa dipende?" or "da che dipende?" to inquire.

What is the structure for answering what something depends on?

Responses begin with da, dal, dallo, etc., like "Dalle mie amiche."

How to express conditional plans using "dipende"?

Use "dipende" to indicate plans' uncertainty, such as "Non so se veniamo domani. Dipende dal clima."

What song features the phrase “Dipende. Da che dipende?”?

The song "Dipende" by Jarabe de Palo includes these lines, emphasizing perspective.

Audio images

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Non possiamo decidere adesso. Dipende da molti fattori.

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Main Article

“Dipende” in Italian

The word dipende in Italian is a versatile expression that directly translates to “it depends” in English. It is the first person singular of the verb dipendere, meaning “to depend”.

It is used in conversations to express uncertainty or when the outcome of a situation is variable. Just like in English, it introduces an indefinite answer.

It reflects the idea that the situation can change depending on certain circumstances, offering a flexible way to respond or explain choices.

It can be used as a standalone to answer a question, or followed by the preposition da to specify the factor that influences the result. Below, I will show you different ways to use dipende in Italian.

“Dipende” Standing Alone to Answer Questions

One of the most common uses of dipende is as a standalone response to a question. When someone asks a question where the answer isn’t straightforward, dipende is an excellent way to communicate that your answer isn’t sure.

This is probably the word that I use the most daily, because I am an eternally undecided! It is concise, yet effective!

Che cosa farai domani?

What will you do tomorrow?

Dipende.

It depends.

“Dipende” + Preposition Da

“Dipende da” + Noun

The most straightforward way to use dipende with da is by following it with a noun to indicate the factor that influences the situation. This construction is highly flexible and can be used in many contexts.

Non so se esco. Dipende dal tempo.

I do not know if I am going out. It depends on the weather.

Dipende dal prezzo.

It depends on the price.

Dipende dalla situazione.

It depends on the situation.

Of course, remember that whenever a preposition is followed by a definite article, they must combine together to form preposizione articolata.

“Dipende da” + Clause

In more complex sentences, dipende da can be followed by an entire clause that provides detailed information about the factors that influence the decision. This use is a more elaborated explanation about what the outcome depends on.

Dipende da come mi sento dopo il lavoro.

It depends on how I feel after work.

Dipende da quanto tempo abbiamo.

It depends on how much time we have.

Dipende da chi viene alla festa.

It depends on who comes to the party.

Key Terms and Concepts

Dipende

Dipende translates to "it depends" and is used to express uncertainty or variable outcomes in conversations. It's the first person singular of dipendere.

Dipende da + Noun

When dipende is followed by da and a noun, it indicates the factor influencing a situation, e.g., Dipende dal tempo (It depends on the weather).

Preposizione articolata

A combination of a preposition and a definite article in Italian, essential when using dipende da with nouns, e.g., dal, dalla.

Dipendere

The verb dipendere means "to depend." In its conjugated form dipende, it is used to express conditions or variables affecting decisions.

Dipende da + Clause

Dipende da can precede an entire clause to detail the influencing factors, e.g., Dipende da come mi sento (It depends on how I feel).

Test your knowledge in 10 quick questions

Words

dipendedepends

soggettosubject

domandaquestion

contestocontext

pronomepronoun

sostantivonoun

genitoriparents

sentirefeeling

variazionivariations

continuarecontinue

Phrases

dipendeit depends

da cosaon what

da cheon which

da chion whom

dalfrom the (masculine singular)

dallofrom the (masculine singular, used before certain consonants)

dallafrom the (feminine singular)

daifrom the (masculine plural)

dallefrom the (feminine plural)

daglifrom the (masculine plural, used before certain vowels or consonants)

Sentences

Dipende dal tempo se andremo al parco.

It depends on the weather if we will go to the park.

Dipende dalla tua decisione se accetteremo l'offerta.

It depends on your decision if we will accept the offer.

Da cosa dipende il successo di un progetto?

What does the success of a project depend on?

Dipende dalla situazione, ma di solito preferisco lavorare da solo.

It depends on the situation, but I usually prefer to work alone.

Dipende dal budget che abbiamo a disposizione.

It depends on the budget we have available.

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Answers

FAQs

What goes before "dipende"?

We can use "dipende" with a specific subject or on its own (without a subject) because we usually refer to a situation or a context that we mentioned just before and we don’t want to repeat.

What goes after dipende?

da, dal, dallo, dalla, dai, dalle, or dagli, or come (how), quando (when), and cosa, depending on what you're referring to.

How to form questions with dipende?

We can just ask "da cosa dipende?" or "da che dipende?", which means “what does it depend on?”

Italian word of the day

iniziamo

Se non iniziamo a pulire, non finiremo mai.

If we don’t start cleaning, we’ll never finish.