Das kommt darauf an.
[das komt da-ROWF an]
It depends.
Literal gloss:“That comes thereon on.”
When to use:Safe across both Sie and du settings because no personal pronoun restricts it.
Word-by-Word Structure
| German | Meaning | Grammar Note |
|---|---|---|
| kommt … an | depends (from ankommen auf) | — |
| darauf | on it (da-compound for auf) | — |
Example Sentences in Context
Answering a conditional question
Wie lange dauert es bis Berlin? — Das kommt darauf an, ob du den ICE nimmst.
How long does it take to Berlin? — That depends on whether you take the ICE.
Short spoken reply
Kommt ganz drauf an!
Depends entirely!