When planning a summer camp, you need to stay flexible. To express that plans depend on changing circumstances, German uses the phrase je nachdem (depending on).
| We plan the summer camp depending on how the weather is. | Wir planen das Ferienlager, je nachdem, wie das Wetter ist. |
"Je nachdem" with question words
When "depending on" is followed by a question word (like how, what, or when), combine je nachdem with a subordinate clause starting with that W-word. The conjugated verb is pushed to the very end of the clause.
| The schedule remains flexible depending on what happens. | Der Zeitplan bleibt flexibel, je nachdem, was passiert. |
| The campfire takes place depending on when the tournament ends. | Das Lagerfeuer findet statt, je nachdem, wann das Turnier endet. |
"Je nachdem" with "ob"
For "yes or no" conditions (often translated as "depending on whether"), use ob directly after je nachdem. Just like with W-words, the verb goes to the end.
| We play either outside or inside, depending on whether it rains. | Wir spielen entweder draußen oder drinnen, je nachdem, ob es regnet. |
| We cancel the activity depending on whether the tournament takes place. | Wir sagen die Aktivität ab, je nachdem, ob das Turnier stattfindet. |
Starting the sentence with "Je nachdem"
You can also place the entire je nachdem clause at the beginning of your sentence. This entire dependent clause counts as position one, so the following main clause must immediately start with its verb to satisfy the "verb second" rule.
| Depending on how the mood is, we do another activity. | Je nachdem, wie die Laune ist, machen wir eine andere Aktivität. |