而
ér
And, but, while
视 (shì)……而定 (ér dìng) — depends on…
视 (shì) + Factor + 而定 (ér dìng)
HSK 7–93.0
Pattern diagram
Who / what视Fact而定
Rule structure
The formal fixed pattern 视 (shì)……而定 (ér dìng) (ér dìng) means "depends on…": a condition or factor is placed between 视 (shì) and 而定 (ér dìng) (ér dìng). Common combinations include 视情况而定 (shì qíng kuàng ér dìng) (shì qíngkuàng ér dìng) "depends on the circumstances" and 视天气而定 (shì tiān qì ér dìng) (shì tiānqì ér dìng) "depends on the weather." It is used in written and formal speech.
Rule structure
The formal fixed pattern 视 (shì)……而定 (ér dìng) (ér dìng) means "depends on…": a condition or factor is placed between 视 (shì) and 而定 (ér dìng) (ér dìng). Common combinations include 视情况而定 (shì qíng kuàng ér dìng) (shì qíngkuàng ér dìng) "depends on the circumstances" and 视天气而定 (shì tiān qì ér dìng) (shì tiānqì ér dìng) "depends on the weather." It is used in written and formal speech.
Examples
去不去，视天气而定。
Qù bu qù, shì tiānqì ér dìng.
Whether we go or not depends on the weather.
Examples
去不去，视天气而定。
Qù bu qù, shì tiānqì ér dìng.
Whether we go or not depends on the weather.
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Words from this rule
Frequently asked questions
How do you say “depends on…” in Chinese with 视……而定?
Use the structure: 视 (shì) + Factor + 而定 (ér dìng). For example: 去不去，视天气而定。 — “Whether we go or not depends on the weather”.
What is an example sentence with this grammar rule?
去不去，视天气而定。 — “Whether we go or not depends on the weather”.
Which HSK level includes this grammar rule?
This grammar rule is part of HSK 3.0 Levels 7–9.
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More HSK 3.0 Levels 7–9 grammar rules
动不动 就 — at the slightest thing, just
Subj. + 动不动 (dòngbudòng) 就 (jiù) + Verb
仅次于 — second only to
Subj. + 仅次于 (jǐn cì yú) + X
个 — casual small action
Verb + 个 (ge) + Noun
除外 — except for, excluding
Noun + 除外 (chúwài)
不亚于 — no worse than
Subject + 不亚于 (bú yà yú) + Noun
可不 — enthusiastic agreement
可不 (kě bu) / 可不是嘛 (kě bú shì ma) — a standalone confirming reply
说到哪儿去了 — polite reply to praise
说到哪儿去了 (shuō dào nǎr qù le) — a standalone polite reply
非 — neither A nor B
非 (fēi) + Noun/Adj. A + 非 (fēi) + Noun/Adj. B