Practice JLPT
AdvancedJLPT N2 Grammar

やら

Things like; whether; and; or (expressing uncertainty)

Romaji: yara

Meaning & usage

I wonder (if) | A sentence-final particle that marks a self-addressed question.

Notes

何やら is actually a word meaning "some kind of" here

いつのまにやら is actually a phrase meaning "before one knows/is aware"

Example sentences 11

  1. いつのまにやら外は暗くなっていた。

    It got dark outside before I realised it.

  2. このビルが完成するのはいつになるのやら。

    I wonder when this building will be finished.

  3. これから先、うちの会社は一体どうなることやら。

    I wonder what will happen to our company from now on. (I'm quite worried.)

  4. こんな映画のどこがいいのやらさっぱり分からない。

    I just don't understand what is good about this movie.

  5. さっきまでの元気はどこへ行ったのやら。

    I wonder where all the energy he had just a little bit ago has gone.

  6. どこが入り口やら分からずビルの周りを何度も回った。

    Not being able to figure out where the entrance was, I walked around the building several times.

  7. 一体いつになったら自分の家が持てることやら。

    I wonder when I'll be able to have my own house. (I feel almost hopeless.)

  8. 今日はどんなご馳走を食べさせてもらえるのやら、とても楽しみだ。

    I wonder what kind of feast they'll have for me to eat today. I can't wait!

  9. 学生たちが何やら面白そうな計画をしている。

    The students are planning something interesting.

  10. 競技場ははたしてオリンピック開会までに完成するのやら。

    I really wonder if the stadium will be completed in time for the Olympic Games.

  11. 誰も名札をつけていないので誰が誰やらさっぱり分からない。

    No one is wearing a name tag, so I simply cannot figure out who's who.

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