～ものか
〜mono ka
JLPT N2 Neutral
Formation
Verb-casual + ものか, い-Adjective + ものか, な-Adjective + (な)ものか, Noun + (な)ものか
Definitely not; no way; no chance.
When to use
Rhetorical "no way/definitely not" - a strong denial phrased as a question.
Explanation
The ～ものか grammar point is used to express a strong denial, refusal, or astonishment. It often appears with a rhetorical question tone in casual forms, such as Verb (dictionary/volitional/～たい) + ものか, Adjective + ものか, or Noun + ものか, meaning 'No way...', 'As if I'd ever...', etc.
Example sentences
そんなこと、僕がやりたいものか。
No way do I want to do such a thing.
Sonna koto, boku ga yaritai mono ka.
-
Who on earth would take on a job like this? (No one would!)
Konna shigoto, dare ga hikiukeyou mono ka.
-
Who would ever ask him for help? (Certainly no one!)
Dare ga kare ni tasuke o motomeyou mono ka.
-
There's no way we can play outside on a day this cold.
Kono samui hi ni soto de asobu nante, muri na mono ka.
Unlikely / Impossible
- ～そうにない〜sou ni naiN2Express the unlikelihood of something happening; 'not…
- ～ようがない〜you ga naiN2Expresses that there is no way (method) to do something…
- ～っこない〜kkonaiN2Expresses the impossibility or very low probability of…
- ～わけがない〜wake ga naiN3Expresses that something is impossible or unreasonable…
- ～かねる〜kaneruN2Express inability or impossibility of doing an action…
- Verbる べくもないVerb-ru beku mo naiN1Means 'it's impossible to...' or 'there's no way to...'.
- Verb ようにも〜you ni moN1Used to express 'even though one wants to do something…
- Verb やしない~ yashinaiN1Expresses a strong denial or refusal: 'I would never...'…
Corpus examples (22)
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I need some good advice.
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I am uncertain whether this is a thing of value.
こんなすばらしい天気の日に家に閉じ込められていたいと思うものか。
Who wants to be cooped up indoors on a nice day like this?
上司は私が提案した企画をいきなりボツにしてしまった。こうなるといつまでここで働いていたものかどうか確信がもてない。
After the hatchet job my boss did on my proposal, I'm not sure how long I want to keep on working here.
そんな奇妙なことってあるものかありはしない。
Can such a strange thing be real?
-
I noticed a note on my desk, but I do not know who wrote it.
ボストンになど帰らせるものか。
I'm not going to let you go back to Boston.
規則もへったくれもあるものか。
To hell with conventions!
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Who cares when she will marry?
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I was puzzled about what to do next.
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Isn't there any way to predict how he'll act?
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I do not know whether it is good or not.
道理をわきまえた人なら、だれがそんな気が変な男の言うことに耳を貸すものか。
Who that has reason will listen to such a mad man?
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I can't conceive how I could have made such a mistake.
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What if he fails?
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If he fails, so what?
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The president said, "I don't give a damn."
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Who knows?
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I'll never stay at that hotel again.
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I don't know what to do about his shoplifting.
無礼もヘチマもあるものか。
Who cares about bad manners?
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I will never fall in love again.