人による (Hito ni yoru): The all-purpose 'it depends on the person' trick

If you've lived in Japan long enough, you've surely been asked some very "tricky" questions like:

• "Do Japanese people like pho?"
• "Do Japanese people often work overtime?"
• "What kind of gift would a Japanese person like?"

Answering "Yes" isn't quite right, but saying "No" isn't right either. This is when you need to pull out the "treasure" that every Japanese person uses: 「人による」(Hito ni yoru).

🤔 What does 「人による」mean?

Its literal meaning is very simple: "Depends on the person" or "It varies from person to person".

But this isn't just a simple answer. It's a communication "trick," a clever reflex to avoid making generalizations, a practice the Japanese are very cautious about.

Instead of a long explanation like "Well, there are some people who do and some who don't...", you just need one concise sentence: 「人によるね。」

✨ Why is it an "all-purpose trick"?

This phrase is used extremely frequently in daily life because it solves many communication problems:

• Shows respect for individuality: Despite living in a society that values the group, the Japanese are very aware that each individual is a separate entity. Using 「人による」shows that you understand you can't apply a stereotype to everyone.
• Avoids unnecessary arguments: When you make a firm statement ("All Japanese people love manga!"), someone is likely to object. But if you say "it depends on the person," that's an undeniable truth. 💯
• It's a safe and smart answer: For sensitive topics or when you don't have enough information, this is a tactful and thoughtful way to respond.

💬 How to use it correctly?

Just throw 「人による」 right after questions that ask for a generalization. Let's look at some examples:

Example 1: When asked about a "general personality trait" 🇯🇵

A: 「日本人って、みんな真面目なんですか？」 (Are all Japanese people serious?)

B: 「うーん、まあ、人によりますね。面白い人もたくさんいますよ。」 (Hmm, well, it depends on the person. There are many funny people too.)

Example 2: When asked for advice 🎁

A: 「彼女へのプレゼント、何がいいかな？女性は何をもらうと嬉しいの？」 (What's a good gift for my girlfriend? What do girls like to receive?)

B: 「それは人によるよ！彼女の趣味とか知らないと難しいね。」 (That really depends on the person! It's hard to choose if you don't know her hobbies.)

Example 3: When discussing work 💼

A: 「やっぱり毎日会社に行く方が仕事が捗るかな？」 (After all, is it more efficient to go to the office every day?)

B: 「どうでしょう。それも人によるんじゃないですか？」 (I wonder. Doesn't that also depend on the person?)

💡 Advanced Tip:

To make the phrase sound softer and more natural, add particles like かな, ね, よね at the end:

• 人によるかな。 (Sounds a bit hesitant, gentle)
• 人によるね。 (Seeking agreement)
• 人によるよね。 (Affirming an obvious fact that both people know)

Conclusion

「人による」 is not a vague way to end a conversation. On the contrary, it's a subtle communication tool that shows respect, practical thinking, and helps you gracefully exit tricky situations.

Try using it often, and you'll find yourself communicating more and more like a native speaker! 😉