A のやら B のやら

A no yara B no yara

JLPT N1 Chapter 130: Whether one or the other, 4 of 5

Formation

Noun1 + のやら + Noun2 + のやら (also works with adjectives and verbs + のやら)

Used when the speaker is unsure or confused between multiple possibilities.

When to use

A のやら B のやら: can't tell whether A or B (嬉しいのやら悲しいのやら).

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).'

Example sentences

彼かれが怒おこっているのやら、悲かなしいのやら、私わたしには分わからない。

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

Kare ga okotte iru no yara, kanashii no yara, watashi ni wa wakaranai.
試験しけんの結果けっかが良よいのやら悪わるいのやら、気きになって仕方しかたがない。

I can’t help worrying whether my exam results are good or bad.

Shiken no kekka ga yoi no yara warui no yara, ki ni natte shikata ga nai.
彼女かのじょが私わたしを好すきなのやら嫌きらいなのやら、わからない。

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

Kanojo ga watashi o suki na no yara kirai na no yara, wakaranai.
彼かれが本当ほんとうに行いくのやら行いかないのやら、はっきりしない。

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

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

I Wonder (Musing Uncertainty)

Compare when to use each