HomeGrammarJLPT 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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

Practice

Grammar content sourced from hanabira.org.