Meaning & usage
やら presents two or more items as vague examples, suggesting uncertainty, confusion, or being overwhelmed, often translated as things like A and B. It follows nouns in the pattern AやらBやら, often with で to show cause, as in 疲れやら空腹やらで. It can also follow question words or a plain form clause plus の, as in なにやら or よいのやら, to express doubt about what is true. It sounds more emotional and less neutral than や.
Example sentences 6
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本のすみになにやら書き込んである。
Something is written in the corner of the book.
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どこに行けばよいのやら。
I don't know where to go.
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疲れやら空腹やらで、彼は死んだように倒れた。
What with fatigue and hunger, he fell down as if he were dead.
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さて。その言葉に信を置いてよいものやら。
Well now. Are those words to be trusted I wonder?
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仕事やら私的な問題やらで、私はとても忙しい。
What with my business and private affairs, I am so busy.
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風やら雨やらで、その試合はさんざんだった。
What with the wind and the rain, the game was spoiled.
