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视…而定

depending on; to be decided according to

Structure
结果 + 视 + 条件 + 而定

What it means

Depending on; to be decided according to. Says that something still open will be settled by a condition.

How it is built

What is open (often 多少, 是否, 能否) + 视 + condition + 而定: 比赛是否推迟,视天气情况而定 (Whether the match is postponed will depend on the weather).

When to use it

视 is the written 看. It belongs to laws, rules, notices and contracts; in speech say 要看…: 去不去要看天气. The short form 视情况 + verb is common too: 视情况决定, 视情节轻重处理.

Watch out

而定 cannot be dropped: ✗ 份额视情况 ✓ 份额视情况而定. Do not confuse 而定 (is then decided) with 而已 (merely).

Examples

多分多少,视赡养情况而定。
How much more an heir receives depends on how much support they gave.
比赛是否推迟,视天气情况而定。
Whether the match is postponed will depend on the weather.
奖金的多少视个人业绩而定。
The size of the bonus depends on individual performance.
Learn this in Lesson 195 · HSK 7–9: 遗嘱与继承 (Wills and inheritance: a legal advice column)
A dialogue, a reading, word cards with audio and a drill that uses it, in Learn Chinese with Bao. The first lessons of every level are free.
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