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

(なに)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 (なに)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.

      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.

        彼女(かのじょ)のまなざしには、(なに)やら言葉(ことば)にならない(おも)いが(かく)されていた。

        In her gaze, some kind of ineffable sentiment had been concealed.

          (なに)やら(はは)は、(たから)くじの一等(いっとう)()てたことを、家族(かぞく)全員(ぜんいん)(だま)っていたらしい。

          For some reason, it seems my mother kept quiet to the entire family that she’d won the first prize in the lottery.

            (なに)やら社長(しゃちょう)(かく)()がいたらしく、その(うわさ)がオフィスの他社(たしゃ)にも(ひろ)まっているよ。

            For some reason, it seems the boss had a secret child, and the rumor is even spreading to other companies.

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