～ものやら
mono yara
I wonder; who knows
Formation 接続
question word + plain clause + ものやら
Notation: N = noun; V dictionary = dictionary-form verb; V stem = the stem before ます; plain clause = plain-form clause; negative stem = the form before ない. Follow the attachment shown above.
Explanation 説明
Expresses uncertainty or puzzlement rather than directly asking the listener for an answer.
Examples 例文
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会議がいつ終わるものやら、見当もつかない。
I have no idea when the meeting will finally end.
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試験がいつ終わるものやら、見当もつかない。
I have no idea when the exam will finally end.
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研修がいつ終わるものやら、見当もつかない。
I have no idea when the training session will finally end.
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発表会がいつ終わるものやら、見当もつかない。
I have no idea when the presentation event will finally end.
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面接がいつ終わるものやら、見当もつかない。
I have no idea when the interview will finally end.
How related patterns differ 比較
まい can express negative intention or conjecture; まいか can convey uncertainty. ものやら wonders about something hard to know. というわけではない rejects an interpretation, も何も rejects a premise, and と思いきや introduces a surprising reversal.
| Pattern | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| ～ものやら | I wonder; who knows | 会議がいつ終わるものやら、見当もつかない。 I have no idea when the meeting will finally end. |
| ～それにしても | Even so; nevertheless | 会議が長いとは聞いていた。それにしても、四時間は長すぎる。 I had heard that the meeting would be long. Even so, four hours is too much. |
| ～まい | Will not; probably not | 二度とうそをつくまいと決めた。 I decided that I would never tell a lie again. |
| ～まいか | Might it not; I wonder if | このままでは、会議が中止になるのではあるまいか。 At this rate, might the meeting end up being canceled? |
| ～と思いきや | Just when one thought; contrary to expectation | 会議は中止かと思いきや、予定どおり行われた。 I thought the meeting might be canceled, but it went ahead as planned. |
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