GrammarJLPT N1A のやら B のやら (A no yara B no yara)

A のやら B のやら (A no yara B no yara)

JLPT N1

Explanation

Used when the speaker is unsure or confused between multiple possibilities.

Formation

Noun1 + のやら + Noun2 + のやら (also works with adjectives and verbs + のやら)

Detailed Explanation

The A のやら B のやら grammar expresses the speaker's confusion or inability to decide between possibility A and B. It can be translated roughly as 'whether it's A or B (I don't know).'

Examples

彼が怒っているのやら、悲しいのやら、私には分からない。

Kare ga okotte iru no yara, kanashii no yara, watashi ni wa wakaranai.

I don't know whether he's angry or sad.

試験の結果が良いのやら悪いのやら、気になって仕方がない。

Shiken no kekka ga yoi no yara warui no yara, ki ni natte shikata ga nai.

I can’t help worrying whether my exam results are good or bad.

彼女が私を好きなのやら嫌いなのやら、わからない。

Kanojo ga watashi o suki na no yara kirai na no yara, wakaranai.

I don’t know whether she likes me or hates me.

彼が本当に行くのやら行かないのやら、はっきりしない。

Kare ga hontou ni iku no yara ikanai no yara, hakkiri shinai.

It’s unclear whether he will really go or not.

Grammar content sourced from hanabira.org.