N3Grammar

次第(しだい)

As soon as

Structure

Verb［stem］+ 次第(しだい)
［する］Verb + 次第(しだい)

Explanation

次第(しだい) is a noun whose English equivalent can vary based on the word it attaches to. This grammar point will cover its use when following the conjunctive form (masu-stem) of verbs, including する verbs. While technically a noun, it often functions more like a suffix.

In essence, 次第(しだい) indicates that something will happen 'immediately after (A)', which is commonly translated as 'as soon as (A)'.

資料(しりょう)の準備(じゅんび)ができ次第(しだい)、お知(し)らせください。
Please let me know as soon as the documents are ready.
空港(くうこう)に着(つ)き次第(しだい)、電話(でんわ)してください。
Please call me as soon as you get to the airport.
新(あたら)しい住所(じゅうしょ)が決(き)まり次第(しだい)、教(おし)えてくださいね。
Let me know as soon as you've decided on a new address, okay?

Fun Fact

A key aspect to remember about 次第(しだい) is its core meaning of 'sequence-dependent'. While this concept doesn't have a direct equivalent in English, it conveys that event (B) is contingent on event (A). Let's explore how this nuance changes with different parts of speech.

Verb 次第(しだい) - The verb's action dictates when (B) occurs. Because an action itself cannot choose, the completion of (A) automatically triggers (B).

部屋(へや)の準備(じゅんび)ができ次第(しだい)、お客様(きゃくさま)をご案内(あんない)します。
I will show the guests to their room as soon as it is ready.

Living Noun 次第(しだい) - The noun (a person or living being) determines the outcome of (B). As living beings can make decisions, (B) is dependent on (A)'s choice.

このチームに入(はい)れるかどうかは、キャプテン次第(しだい)だ。
Whether or not you can join this team will depend on the captain.

Inanimate/Abstract Noun 次第(しだい) - The noun (a thing or concept) determines the outcome for (B). Because these nouns lack volition, (A) serves as the basis for the course of (B), which often involves a subsequent choice or judgment.

試合(しあい)に勝(か)てるかどうかは、明日(あした)の天気(てんき)次第(しだい)ですね。
Whether or not we can win the match will depend on tomorrow's weather.

Examples

日程(にってい)が決(き)まり次第(しだい)、ご連絡(れんらく)します。

I will contact you as soon as the schedule is decided.

荷物(にもつ)が届(とど)き次第(しだい)、中身(なかみ)を確認(かくにん)してください。

Please check the contents as soon as the package arrives.

なくした鍵(かぎ)が見(み)つかり次第(しだい)、すぐに電話(でんわ)します。

I'll call you right away as soon as I find the lost key.

全員(ぜんいん)が集(あつ)まり次第(しだい)、会議(かいぎ)を始(はじ)めましょう。

Let's start the meeting as soon as everyone has gathered.

詳細(しょうさい)を確認(かくにん)し次第(しだい)、メールをお送(おく)りいたします。

I will send an email as soon as I have confirmed the details.

田中(たなか)さんが戻(もど)り次第(しだい)、こちらに電話(でんわ)をくださるようお伝(つた)えください。

Please tell Mr. Tanaka to give me a call as soon as he gets back.

商品(しょうひん)が入荷(にゅうか)し次第(しだい)、お電話(でんわ)でご連絡(れんらく)いたします。

We will contact you by phone as soon as the product is in stock.

この商品(しょうひん)は、売(う)り切(き)れ次第(しだい)、販売(はんばい)終了(しゅうりょう)となります。

This product's sale will end as soon as it sells out.

スマホの充電(じゅうでん)が終(お)わり次第(しだい)、出(で)かけよう。

Let's head out as soon as the smartphone finishes charging.

空(そら)が明(あか)るくなり次第(しだい)、ハイキングを開始(かいし)します。

We will start the hike as soon as the sky gets light.

材料(ざいりょう)がそろい次第(しだい)、料理(りょうり)を始(はじ)めます。

I'll start cooking as soon as I have all the ingredients.

準備(じゅんび)が整(ととの)い次第(しだい)、パーティーを始(はじ)めますので、もう少々(しょうしょう)お待(ま)ちください。

We will start the party as soon as the preparations are complete, so please wait just a little longer.