〜でなくてなんだろう

Meaning

This grammar pattern is used when you want to strongly assert that something truly is what you claim it is. It carries a rhetorical force, essentially saying "if this isn't X, then what is?" The speaker's emphatic tone is emphasized.

Formation

Examples

1. いじめの定義は曖昧だが、無視や金銭の要求がいじめと認定されないというおかしな事態になっている。これらがいじめでなくてなんだろうか。教育関係者は今一度この問題について考える必要がある。
   The definition of bullying is vague, and an absurd situation has arisen where ignoring someone or demanding money is not recognized as bullying. If these aren't bullying, then what are they? Educators need to reconsider this issue.

2. 彼は6歳にして、大人でも難しい曲を弾けるようになってしまうなんて、これが天才でなくてなんだろう。
   He's only six years old and can already play pieces that are difficult even for adults. If this isn't genius, then what is?

3. 彼は戦争中に村の多くの人を守りきった。彼が英雄でなくてなんだろう。
   He protected many people in the village during the war. If he isn't a hero, then who is?

Summary

• 「〜でなくてなんだろう」 means "if this isn't ..., then what is?" — a rhetorical assertion
• Attaches to Noun