# にかかっている: depending on; to depend on; whether or not > Master にかかっている, a JLPT N1 grammar point meaning 'depending on', with formation, examples, nuance, and comparison to 次第だ. JLPT level: N1 · Updated: 2026-05-18 · Canonical: https://hane-app.com/blog/n1-ni-kakatteiru/ **にかかっている** means **depending on; to depend on; whether or not**. It is a **JLPT N1** Japanese grammar pattern used to express that an outcome hinges entirely on a particular factor. If you want to show that success, failure, or a decision rests on one thing — and that everything else is secondary — **にかかっている** is the pattern you need. It appears in advice, warnings, and statements about what really matters, from test prep to business. ## What does にかかっている mean? Use **にかかっている** when you want to say that the result is **determined by, rests on, or hinges on** a single factor. It often carries a sense of urgency or finality: *this is what it all comes down to*. Natural translations include: - **depends on** - **hinges on** - **is up to** - **rides on** The best translation depends on the sentence. Notice whether the focus is on a person, an action, a condition, or a yes/no question — then choose the English phrase that matches the weight. ## How to form にかかっている
N + にかかっている
〜かどうか + にかかっている
Attach **にかかっている** directly to a **noun** that represents the decisive factor. For yes/no decisions, precede it with **かどうか** (whether or not). Examples of the pattern: - 努力(どりょく)努ど力りょくにかかっている - あなたのやる気(やるき)気きにかかっている - 成功(せいこう)成せい功こうするかどうかは準備(じゅんび)準じゅん備びにかかっている The grammatical slot before **にかかっている** is always a noun or a nominalised clause (like 〜かどうか). JLPT N1 questions often test whether you can recognise this slot in a longer sentence. ## When is にかかっている used? Use **にかかっている** in situations like: - emphasising that only one element controls the whole outcome - giving advice where the listener’s choice is the key - stating conditions for success or failure - showing that the rest of the situation is irrelevant compared to this one hinge Tone and register: - neutral to slightly emphatic; common in both speech and writing - formal enough for presentations and essays, but also natural in everyday conversation - frequently appears in motivational talk, exam-prep advice, and business planning Because the pattern singles out one factor, it often conveys the speaker’s conviction or warning. ## にかかっている example sentences
試し合あいの勝しょう敗はいは、最さい後ごの数すう秒びょうにかかっている。
The outcome of the match depends on the final few seconds.
decision
プロジェクトの成せい功こうはチームの協きょう力りょくにかかっている。
The project's success depends on the team's cooperation.
teamwork
この仕し事ごとを続つづけられるかどうかは、あなたの気き持もち次第(しだい)にかかっている。
Whether you can continue this job hinges entirely on your feelings (spirit).
warning
試し験けんの合ごう格かくは、この一ひと週(しゅう)間かんの勉べん強きょうにかかっている。
Passing the exam depends on this one week of study.
cramming
将しょう来らいの幸こう福ふくは、今いまの努ど力りょくにかかっている。
Future happiness depends on your efforts now.
motivation
After reading each sentence, ask what job **にかかっている** is doing: it puts the spotlight on the one thing that controls the entire situation. ## Nuance of にかかっている The key nuance is **hinging on a single pivotal point**. When you use this pattern, you’re not just saying something is *a factor* — you’re saying it’s **the factor**. Everything else is secondary; the outcome is decided right there. This matters because learners often treat **にかかっている** as a simple replacement for “depends on,” but Japanese has other, softer ways to express dependency. **にかかっている** has a heavier, more deterministic feel. It frequently implies: - a sense of urgency or pressure - the speaker’s strong belief that nothing else matters - an *all-or-nothing* scenario
💡
Picture a door hinge. If that hinge breaks, the door falls — no matter how strong the wood or lock. That’s the mental image にかかっている carries: a single pivot point that carries all the weight.
## にかかっている vs 次第(しだい)だ Both **にかかっている** and **次第(しだい)だ** (or 次第(しだい)で) translate as “depends on,” but they differ in weight and scope.
にかかっている
single hinge — decisive, often final
Used when the result is entirely controlled by one factor; all other elements are irrelevant.
成功(せいこう)は努ど力りょくにかかっている。
Success hinges on effort (nothing else matters).
vs
次第(しだい)だ
conditional — flexible, dependent on circumstances
Used when the result changes according to a condition; often combined with で or によって. It leaves room for other influences.
成功(せいこう)は努ど力りょく次第(しだい)だ。
Success depends on your effort (how much you put in determines it).
If both translations seem possible, check the intention. **にかかっている** says “this is the make-or-break point”; **次第(しだい)** says “it varies with that factor.” The former closes options, the latter opens them. ## Common mistakes with にかかっている
❌
成功(せいこう)は努ど力りょくにかかる。
✅
成功(せいこう)は努ど力りょくにかかっている。
Use the continuous form にかかっている, not plain にかかる, when stating that the dependence is ongoing.
❌
結果(けっか)はあなたの判はん断だんにかかっているかどうかだ。
✅
結果(けっか)はあなたの判はん断だんにかかっている。
Don't attach かどうか after the whole phrase; the "whether or not" meaning is built in already when it precedes にかかっている.
❌
成功(せいこう)が努力(どりょく)にかかっている。
✅
成功(せいこう)は努力(どりょく)にかかっている。
Mark the topic with は, not が. にかかっている typically follows the topic of the sentence.
A helpful self-check: write a sentence with **にかかっている**, then try to replace it with **次第(しだい)だ**. If the tone shifts from “this one thing decides everything” to “it varies,” you’re on the right track. ## Is にかかっている on the JLPT?
N1
にかかっている is officially a JLPT N1 grammar point. It appears in reading comprehension and grammar-based questions where the exam tests your ability to identify the decisive element in a sentence.

Expect to be asked to:

For test preparation, read sentences out loud and trace the “hinge” — which word is the one that にかかっている attaches to? JLPT questions often hide that word inside a long clause. ## Practice questions for にかかっている
1
Use にかかっている to tell a friend that passing the exam depends entirely on the final week of review.
pep talk
2
Describe a project where the biggest outcome depends on a single person’s decision.
business
3
Write a sentence where the nuance of にかかっている is necessary (not just “depends on” but “hinges on”).
nuance drill
4
Compare にかかっている with 次第(しだい)だ in your own example about learning Japanese.
comparison
Keep your first sentences simple. Once the structure feels natural, layer in more context so the decisive factor stands out clearly. ## Learning path for にかかっている To learn **にかかっている** efficiently, start with its formation, then sharpen your instinct for when one factor is truly the hinge.
1
First, make sure you can attach にかかっている to a noun or a かどうか clause without peeking at the chart.
2
Next, compare it with 次第(しだい)だ. Read a sentence with にかかっている and rephrase it with 次第(しだい); notice how the certainty changes.
3
Finally, write at least three original sentences where the hinge factor is unmistakably the only thing that matters. Then check whether any of the related grammar below could replace it and change the meaning.
## Related grammar to review next - [にかかっている vs に](/blog/n1-ni/) — the simple particle に; understanding its fundamental roles illuminates why にかかっている targets a single element so strongly. - [に値(あたい)する](/blog/n1-ni-atai-suru/) — because worthiness and dependency often overlap when evaluating what something “deserves” or “rests on.” - [にあって](/blog/n1-ni-atte/) — because it marks a situational context (in the face of), similar to how にかかっている points to the one crucial context. - [にひきかえ](/blog/n1-ni-hikikae/) — because it contrasts two outcomes, often hinging on a single difference; seeing the contrast helps you appreciate when one factor is truly decisive. ## Learn にかかっている with Hane If you want to lock in **にかかっている** together with the high-stakes N1 patterns above, Hane helps you practice Japanese in short, focused sessions — with readings, grammar drills, and example sentences. Browse more lessons here: - [All grammar lessons](/blog/) - [JLPT N1 grammar lessons](/blog/n1/)