Lesson 125: によって・によって違う
N3 · Lesson 125 · 20 min — Because of ~, by means of ~ / depends on ~, in some ~: talk about causes, methods and differences
In the last lesson, Rin decided to write the reply for Grandpa. In this lesson you learn によって. It has several meanings, and it can also say 'depends on ~'. It is perfect for tours and the vocational school presentation. Start with the comic!
After this lesson, you can:
- Use によって for causes and methods: 台風に よって、電車が 止まりました
- Use Nに よる N right before a noun: 台風に よる 遅れ
- Use によって 違う for 'differs depending on ~': 国に よって 反応が 違う
- Use によっては for 'in some ~': 店に よっては 大盛りが 無料
A Promise That Depends on the Person
Rin decides to write the reply for Grandpa. Today he brings tourists to the Promise Tree again... (専門学校 = vocational school, 拍手 = applause)
によって = because of / by means of; によって違う = differs depending on ~; によっては = in some ~. Next lesson: news of a road plan reaches the neighborhood association...
Words for this lesson: causes and differences
- 〜に よって (ni yotte): because of ~; by means of ~; by ~
- 〜に よる (ni yoru): caused by ~; due to ~ (before a noun)
- 〜に よって 違う (ni yotte chigau): differs depending on ~
- 〜に よっては (ni yotte wa): in some ~, (it will) ~; only in some cases
- いろいろ (iroiro): various, different from each other
- 重さ (omosa): weight; heaviness
- 反応 (hannō): reaction
- アンケート (ankēto): survey, questionnaire
- 集める (atsumeru): to collect, to gather
- 声 (koe): voice; (people's) opinions, feedback
- 大盛り (ōmori): large portion
- 無料 (muryō): free of charge
- 遅れ (okure): delay
- 景色 (keshiki): scenery, view
Grammar 1 / 2: によって・による
Nに よって = because of N / by means of N (fairly formal). Before a noun, use Nに よる N.
- Nに よって = because of N (cause): Put the cause of the result first: 台風, 雨. Then say what happened: 電車が 止まりました. Most common in news, announcements and notices.
- Nに よって = by means of N (method): Put the way something is done first: アンケート. It is close to the で you already know (アンケートで), but によって sounds more formal. It suits reports and presentations.
- Before a noun: Nに よる N: によって is followed by an action or a sentence. When you need to connect directly to a noun, change it to による: 台風に よる 遅れ (a delay caused by the typhoon).
- Review: passive 'by ~': You learned this in Lesson 68. When you say who made a work or a project, mark the maker with によって: この 企画は 学生に よって 作られました.
- 台風に よって、電車が 止まりました。 — Because of the typhoon, the trains stopped.
- アンケートに よって、お客さんの 声を 集めました。 — We collected customers' opinions with a survey.
- 台風に よる 遅れが 出て います。 — Right now there are delays caused by the typhoon.
Grammar 2 / 2: によって違う
Nに よって 違う = differs depending on N; Nに よっては = in some N, (it can) ~
- Nに よって 違う = differs depending on N: Put the thing you compare by first: 人, 国, 店, 季節. Then say what is different: 反応が 違う, 値段が 違う.
- 変わる・いろいろだ also work: Any ending that means 'differs' or 'changes' is fine: 季節に よって 景色が 変わる; 店に よって 値段は いろいろだ.
- Nに よっては = in some N: Add は to pick out only some of them: 店に よっては = some shops (not all). The ending often has 〜ことが ある or 〜も ある.
- Tell it apart from Grammar 1: If the ending means 'differs' or 'changes', it is 'depending on ~'. If the ending is something that was done or happened (電車が 止まりました, 声を 集めました), it is a cause or method (Grammar 1). If there is は, it is 'in some ~'.
- 国に よって 反応が 違います。 — Reactions differ from country to country.
- 人に よって、『約束』の 重さは 違う。 — The weight of a 'promise' differs from person to person.
- 季節に よって、谷中の 景色が 変わります。 — The scenery in Yanaka changes with the season.
- 店に よって 値段は いろいろです。 — The price is different at each shop.
- 店に よっては、大盛りが 無料です。 — At some shops, a large bowl is free.
- 日に よっては、ツアーが 休みに なる ことが あります。 — On some days, the tour is canceled.