Dat hangt ervan af
Example: Of we gaan wandelen? Dat hangt ervan af het weer.
Definition
"Dat hangt ervan af" is a Dutch expression used to indicate that the outcome or decision depends on certain conditions or factors. It means 'that depends' or 'it depends on it,' often used when the result is uncertain and contingent on other elements.
Etymology
The phrase "dat hangt ervan af" literally translates to 'that hangs on it' in English, reflecting the idea of something being dependent or contingent on another factor. It combines the verb 'hangen' (to hang) with 'er van af' (on it), illustrating how outcomes metaphorically 'hang' on circumstances. This expression has been commonly used in Dutch for centuries to convey conditionality.
Learn to use this expression actively
"Dat hangt ervan af" appears in the Vocaplus list "Dutch - General - Idioms and Proverbs - (B1) - set 1", containing 105 commonly used expressions.
Would you like to not only understand these expressions, but also remember them and use them actively? Create a free account and select Dutch as the language you want to learn.
Create a free account
