según que vs dependiendo de

Question

I was trying to figure out how to use "whether or not / whether" in Spanish, then quickly saw that there's no direct translation, at least a one word translation.

After searching other posts and definitions, según que and depende de fit what I want to say better than any other phrases I found. From their dictionary definitions, it sounds like depender emphasizes the subject and the noun/condition/etc. that follows, whereas según emphasizes the condition.

Según que tengo el tiempo y las materiales, cocinaré el desayuno para nosotros esta semana.

Depending on whether or not I have the time and the materials, I'll cook us breakfast this week.

OR

Quizas cocinaré el desayuno para nosotros esta semana, dependiendo de si tengo el tiempo y las materiales.

I might cook us breakfast this week, depending on whether I'll have the time and the materials.

I think I have this down, but I want to double check it with y'all! What's the correct way or at least a clearer way to say this?

Thanks, J

Great question! - francobollo, Nov 15, 2012

Answer 1

Hi... Here's my two cents. You said:

Según tenga el tiempo y los ingredientes, cocinaré el desayuno para nosotros esta semana. This makes it a bit better, but it still sounds awkward. You are better off saying: "Si tengo el tiempo y los ingredientes..."

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Quizás cocine el desayuno para nosotros esta semana, dependiendo de si tengo el tiempo y los ingredientes. Quizás requires to be followed by the subjunctive here. The rest of the structure is fine and sounds better than the option above.

You don't have to use the subjunctive following "dependiendo de"? I still get confused sometimes with the subjunctive... - cola_jet_set, Nov 15, 2012

dependiendo de que may suggest using the subjunctive. He is using depediendo de si, which does not need it. - francobollo, Nov 15, 2012

Thank you. So, I'm guessing that "según que" is not used that often in this type of context? - jlazaro, Nov 17, 2012

Answer 2

Not sure where you got "segun que" from, it rings no bells with me but here's an easy alternative.

Dado que tengo el tiempo y las materiales, cocinaré el desayuno para nosotros esta semana." "Given that I have the time and the materials I'll cook our breakfast this week."

I used to hear this a lot although never about breakfast.

I bow to Franco about "ingredientes". It's clearly better. Materiales is more like rebuilding the house. - geofc, Nov 15, 2012

los materiales - francobollo, Nov 15, 2012

"segun que" I got directly from the dictionary definition. - jlazaro, Nov 17, 2012

Answer 3

The second once is correct.

Quizás cocinaré el desayuno para nosotros esta semana, dependiendo de si tengo tiempo y los materiales.