Meaning
〜のやら is used to express uncertainty or confusion about the specifics or reasons of something, often conveying a sense of doubt or inability to determine details.
〜のか；〜のだろうか。1，It expresses the speaker's doubt or feelings of amazement.2，It is an old-fashioned expression that is rarely used by younger people.
Formation
| Part of speech | Formation |
|---|---|
| 動詞 | 動詞 + のやら |
| イ形容詞 | イ形容詞 + のやら |
| ナ形容詞 | ナ形容詞 な + のやら |
| 名詞 | 名詞 な + のやら |
Examples
-
全く、もうすぐ受験だというのに、うちの息子は何を考えているのやら。落ちても知らないよ。
Honestly, with the exam coming up soon, I wonder what my son is thinking. If he fails, it's his own fault. -
どうして、ほとんど白紙なのに作文を提出しようと思ったのやら。もちろん書き直しよ。
I wonder why he thought of submitting an essay that is mostly blank. Of course, he has to rewrite it. -
いい歳して、働いていないなんて何をしているのやら。
I wonder what he's doing, not working at his age. -
ひろし、朝から出かけたきり、帰って来ないね。まったく、どこへ行ったのやら。
Hiroshi has been out since this morning and hasn't come back. I wonder where he's gone.
Summary
- 〜のやら means "Nuance of doubt or hesitation"
- Formation: 動詞 → 動詞 + のやら; イ形容詞 → イ形容詞 + のやら; ナ形容詞 → ナ形容詞 な + のやら; 名詞 → 名詞 な + のやら
- This is an N1-level grammar pattern