Grammar Info

N2 Lesson 1: 9/24

なにやらSomething (or other), Some kind of

Structure

(なに)やら + Phrase

Details

  • Part of Speech

    Adverb

  • Register

    Standard

About なにやら

何やら is an adverb which expresses uncertainty about what exactly something is or why something is happening. Similar to どうやら, although it is often treated as a single word, (なに)やら is composed of the question word (なに) and the particle やら which denotes uncertainty and self-questioning.

(なに)やら is often translated as 'something or other', 'some kind of', or 'for some reason' depending on the context.

Although (なに)か and (なに)やら can both be translated as 'something', they are not interchangeable. 何か can be used for general statements, but (なに)やら is only used when the speaker is unsure of what the thing in question is.

Fun Fact

Although it is less common than 何やら or どうやら, やら is also sometimes attached to other question words like どこ or いつ to indicate that the speaker is uncertain about something.

Examples

--:--

    (なに)やらいいにおいがします。

    I smell something or other nice.

      (そと)(なに)やらにぎやかですね。

      For some reason, it’s lively outside, isn’t it?

        (なに)やら今週(こんしゅう)会議(かいぎ)は、空気(くうき)(おも)かったよね。

        For some reason, the atmosphere at this week’s meeting was a bit heavy, don’t you think?

          あの(ひと)(なに)やら(こま)っているようです。

          That person seems to be bothered by something or other.

            田中(たなか)さんの様子(ようす)が、(なに)やら()わったように(おも)いませんか?

            Don’t you think something or other is different about Tanaka?

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