This phrase means everything depends on one thing. That one thing decides the result. It is like saying 'it's all up to' something.
Noun + にかかっているPrimary
This phrase means everything depends on one thing. That one thing decides the result. It is like saying 'it's all up to' something.
このプロジェクトの成功は、君のリーダーシップにかかっている。
The success of this project depends on your leadership.
その国の運命は、たった一つの決断にかかっていた。
The fate of that country depended on a single decision.
大丈夫、テストの合否は運なんかにかかっていないよ。実力次第だ。
It's okay, passing or failing the test doesn't depend on something like luck. It's all about your actual ability.
この交渉がうまくいくかどうかは先方の出方にかかっていますので、慎重に進めましょう。
Whether these negotiations go well or not depends on the other party's move, so let's proceed with caution.
全ての希望が彼にかかっているというプレッシャーは相当なものだっただろう。
The pressure of having all hope rest on him must have been considerable.
Imagine something important hanging from just one hook. If that hook breaks, everything falls. This grammar shows that one thing holds all the weight for a big result.
This is different from "〜次第だ" (shidai-da). "〜次第だ" just says one thing depends on another. It is more neutral. "〜にかかっている" is stronger. It means everything depends on one very important thing. It often suggests a big result, like success or failure.
Don't use this when something is not very important. For example, don't say "Dinner depends on my mood." That sounds too serious.
Often confused with(2)
More formal alternatives(1)
Less formal alternatives(4)
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