ものか (monoka)

Meaning & usage

ものか follows the plain form of verbs, adjectives, and nouns to express a wish or anxious wondering about what to do. It often appears as ないものか after a negative verb, as in くれないものか, or with a question word, as in どうしたものか or ないものか. It conveys inner deliberation or a hope that something might happen, rather than a direct question to a listener, and sounds reflective and slightly formal.

Example sentences 7

1. 私わたしは次つぎにどうしたものかと、考かんがえあぐねた。

   I was puzzled about what to do next.

2. 彼の万引きはどうしたものかわからない。

   I don't know what to do about his shoplifting.

3. 彼がどのように行動するか予想する手はないものか。

   Isn't there any way to predict how he'll act?

4. 誰か手伝ってくれないものか。

   I wish someone would help me.

5. もっと早く帰れないものか。

   I wish I could go home a bit earlier.

6. 財布をなくして、どうしたものか。

   I've lost my wallet, so what should I do?

7. 何かいい方法はないものか。

   I wonder if there isn't some good way.