〜のやら
Formation
Meaning
Used to express the speaker's doubt, uncertainty, or exasperation about a situation, similar to "I wonder..." or "who knows...".
Note
It is an old expression that is rarely used by young people today.
Examples
彼が何を考えているのやら、私にはさっぱりわからない。
I have absolutely no idea what he is thinking.
この仕事がいつ終わるのやら、まったく見当もつかない。
I have no clue when this work will be finished.
この服が高いのやら安いのやら、私には判断できない。
I can't judge whether these clothes are expensive or cheap.
明日の天気がいいのやら悪いのやら、天気予報を見てもはっきりしない。
I'm not sure if tomorrow's weather will be good or bad, even looking at the forecast.
彼女が元気なのやら、ずっと手紙が来ないので心配だ。
Since I haven't received a letter in a while, I worry whether she is doing well or not.
ここが安全なのやら危険なのやら、情報が少なすぎて困る。
It's troubling because there's too little information to tell if it's safe or dangerous here.
これが本物なのやら偽物なのやら、素人には見分けがつかない。
An amateur cannot tell whether this is real or fake.
彼の話が嘘なのやら本当なのやら、誰も知らない。
No one knows whether his story is a lie or the truth.