What Is the Difference Between 「によって」 and 「によっては」? Understanding Broad Conditions and Exceptional Cases

One pair of expressions that often confuses Japanese learners is 「によって」 and 「によっては」.

They look almost the same.
Also, both can appear in contexts where the meaning is close to “it depends on the case” or “depending on the condition,” so the difference can be hard to see.

For example:

国によって習慣が違います。
English: Customs differ depending on the country.

人によっては、この料理は辛すぎるでしょう。
English: For some people, this dish may be too spicy.

Both sentences talk about the idea that “if the condition changes, the result also changes.”
However, they are not the same.

To put the difference simply:

「によって」 broadly describes differences based on each condition.
「によっては」 focuses on some cases within the whole, often with a feeling of exception or special possibility.

Once you understand this feeling, Japanese texts become much easier to read.

First, understand the feeling of 「によって」

「によって」 is used in many ways, but in this article we will focus on its use for “differences depending on conditions.”

In this use, 「によって」 means that the result changes depending on what is used as the basis or condition.
In other words, it describes differences across conditions in a broad and general way.

For example:

国によって食事のマナーは違います。
English: Table manners differ depending on the country.

先生によって教え方が違います。
English: Teaching methods differ depending on the teacher.

季節によって景色が変わります。
English: The scenery changes depending on the season.

In these sentences, the speaker is saying that “if the country changes, the customs change,” “if the teacher changes, the teaching style changes,” and “if the season changes, the scenery changes.”

The speaker is not especially emphasizing an exception or a special case.
They are simply stating, in a neutral way, that the result changes according to the condition.

「によっては」 focuses on some cases

On the other hand, 「によっては」 has the nuance of “among many cases, there are also cases like this.”

In other words, it focuses on part of the whole and brings up a special case or an exceptional possibility.

For example:

人によっては、この映画を難しいと感じるかもしれません。
English: Some people may find this movie difficult.

場所によっては、まだ雪が残っています。
English: In some places, snow still remains.

薬によっては、副作用が出ることがあります。
English: Some medicines may cause side effects.

What the speaker wants to say here is not “everyone is like that” or “everything is like that.”
The speaker is focusing on the fact that there are some cases where this happens.

This feeling of “there are also such cases among them” is the key point of 「によっては」.

The clearest difference is “the whole” or “some cases”

The difference between these two expressions can be organized like this.

「によって」
It describes differences according to each condition as a whole.

「によっては」
It focuses on some cases within those differences.

For example:

店によって値段が違います。
English: Prices differ depending on the shop.

店によっては、クレジットカードが使えません。
English: At some shops, credit cards cannot be used.

The first sentence describes the general tendency that prices differ from shop to shop.
The second sentence says that, although it is not true of all shops, there are some shops where credit cards cannot be used.

This difference is very important.

「によっては」 often sounds like caution or warning

Because 「によっては」 brings up a special case, it often carries a feeling of caution or warning, depending on the sentence.

For example:

地域によっては、大雨のおそれがあります。
English: In some areas, there is a risk of heavy rain.

人によっては、この表現を失礼だと感じることがあります。
English: Some people may feel that this expression is rude.

体調によっては、無理をしないほうがいいです。
English: Depending on your physical condition, it may be better not to push yourself.

All of these sentences include the feeling of “this is not always the case, but there are cases where it may happen, so please be careful.”

For this reason, 「によっては」 is very common in guidance, explanations, news, and example sentences in Japanese language education.

Why learners often confuse them

These two expressions are difficult because both can mean that something changes depending on a condition.
However, the focus is different.

「によって」 shows the differences themselves.
「によっては」 picks out some cases from among those differences.

For example:

文化によって考え方が違います。
English: Ways of thinking differ depending on the culture.

文化によっては、その質問は失礼に聞こえます。
English: In some cultures, that question may sound rude.

The first sentence is a general statement that ways of thinking differ from culture to culture.
The second sentence means that among different cultures, there are some where that question may be received as rude.

In short, the natural expression changes depending on whether you are explaining differences in general or pointing out a possible case that deserves attention.

When 「によって」 is natural

When you want to describe general differences, categories, or tendencies, 「によって」 is natural.

国によって教育制度は異なります。
English: Education systems differ depending on the country.

人によって考え方はさまざまです。
English: Ways of thinking vary from person to person.

時間帯によって電車の混み方が違います。
English: How crowded the trains are differs depending on the time of day.

These sentences broadly explain differences according to conditions.
They do not strongly pick out only one special part.

When 「によっては」 is natural

When you want to talk about some cases, exceptions, or points of caution, 「によっては」 is natural.

人によっては、この音が気になるかもしれません。
English: Some people may be bothered by this sound.

地域によっては、この言い方を使いません。
English: In some regions, this expression is not used.

場合によっては、予定が変更になることがあります。
English: Depending on the situation, the schedule may change.

In these sentences, the meaning of “not all cases, but some cases are like this” is clear.

A simple way to remember

When you are unsure, think like this:

Use 「によって」 when you want to describe differences broadly.
Use 「によっては」 when you want to pick out some cases from within those differences.

Once you can make this distinction, both explanations and conversations in Japanese become much more natural.

Summary

「によって」 and 「によっては」 look very similar.
However, the range they focus on is different.

「によって」 views differences according to conditions as a whole.
「によっては」 focuses on part of that whole, such as some cases or exceptions.

Understanding this difference makes Japanese explanations and cautionary notes much easier to read.
With similar expressions, it is important not only to look at the meaning itself, but also to notice where the focus is placed.

At RJT, you can learn confusing grammar differences like this through clear example sentences and practical exercises.
If you want to build a strong understanding of subtle Japanese nuances, please visit Rapid Japanese Training.

https://rapid-jt.com/