State the factor that determines the answer
In this construction, something depends on a person, thing or circumstance. The deciding factor may be a date, the weather, available time or the length of a task.
The phrase is not the ordinary arrival meaning of ankommen. Compare the jobs, rather than translating every form of the verb as “arrive.” Here the conversation is about what the answer depends on.
Es kommt auf den Termin an.
It depends on the date or appointment time.
The noun phrase names the deciding factor.
Use auf plus accusative, or add a clause
The noun-phrase pattern uses auf with accusative: auf den Termin. The finite verb kommt appears in the main clause and the separated element an appears at the end: Es kommt auf den Termin an.
Darauf can point to a following clause: Es kommt darauf an, ob du Zeit hast. Ob introduces the question of whether you have time; the finite verb hast comes at the end of that clause. A question-word clause can name a different unknown factor.
Es kommt darauf an, wie lange es dauert.
It depends on how long it takes.
The clause names the factor.
Es kommt darauf an, ob du Zeit hast.
It depends on whether you have time.
Ob introduces a whether-clause with the verb at the end.
Make the condition usable
Kommt drauf an is a shortened casual reply. In careful full wording, use Es kommt darauf an. If you stop after the formula, the listener may still need to ask what it depends on.
Give the factor or ask the missing question yourself. A reply such as Kommt drauf an. Wie lange dauert es? explains why you cannot yet accept. It does not pretend that a conditional answer is already a promise.
Everyday conversations
A plan depends on the weather
Friends decide whether an outdoor trip is practical.
- Nora
Fahren wir am Sonntag an den See?
Are we going to the lake on Sunday?
- Malik
Es kommt auf das Wetter an. Bei Regen bleibe ich lieber hier.
It depends on the weather. If it rains, I’d rather stay here.
- Nora
Dann sehen wir am Samstag noch einmal nach.
Then we’ll check again on Saturday.
Malik states the factor and a concrete consequence. The response is more useful than the formula alone.
A request needs more detail
A friend asks for help but has not stated the duration.
- Nina
Kannst du mir am Samstag helfen?
Can you help me on Saturday?
- Theo
Kommt drauf an. Wie lange dauert es?
It depends. How long will it take?
- Nina
Ungefähr eine Stunde.
About an hour.
- Theo
Dann kann ich vormittags helfen.
Then I can help in the morning.
The follow-up supplies the missing condition. Theo gives a commitment only after he has enough information.
Whether someone has time
An arrangement depends on another person’s availability.
- Amina
Können wir den Text heute gemeinsam prüfen?
Can we check the text together today?
- Robin
Es kommt darauf an, ob du nach drei Zeit hast.
It depends on whether you have time after three.
- Amina
Ja, ab halb vier bin ich frei.
Yes, I’m free from half past three.
- Robin
Gut, dann treffen wir uns um halb vier.
Good, then we’ll meet at half past three.
The ob-clause names the availability question. The following turns resolve it.
Six practice tasks
Try each task before opening the explanation.
Translate “It depends on the appointment time” using the supplied noun der Termin.
Answer and explanation
Es kommt auf den Termin an.
The auf-complement uses accusative: den Termin.
Complete: Es kommt darauf an, ob du Zeit ___. Use haben in the present tense.
Answer and explanation
hast
In the ob-clause, the finite verb hast comes at the end.
In this lesson, does ankommen mean reaching a destination?
Answer and explanation
No. It expresses what something depends on.
A verb can have several senses; this construction has the dependence meaning.
A friend asks for help but has not said how long it will take. Give a conditional reply and ask for that detail.
Answer and explanation
Kommt drauf an. Wie lange dauert es?
The follow-up identifies the information needed before committing.
Other possible answers
- Es kommt darauf an. Wie lange dauert es?
Choose the complete pattern: Es kommt auf den Termin / Es kommt auf den Termin an.
Answer and explanation
Es kommt auf den Termin an.
The separated element an completes the main-clause construction.
Say that a trip depends on the weather, using das Wetter.
Answer and explanation
Es kommt auf das Wetter an.
The noun phrase names the deciding factor. The neuter accusative article remains das.
Frequently asked questions
Is Kommt drauf an wrong?
It is a shortened conversational reply. Es kommt darauf an supplies the fuller wording.
Which case follows auf in this construction?
Accusative: Es kommt auf den Termin an. This is a fixed verb-complement pattern, not a rule about all uses of auf.
Can I use a clause instead of a noun?
Yes. For example, Es kommt darauf an, ob du Zeit hast or Es kommt darauf an, wie lange es dauert.
Try it yourself
Answer three realistic yes/no questions conditionally. Name the deciding factor each time, then add a follow-up that could resolve it.