# のやら～のやら: or ~ (I don't know) > Learn how to use のやら～のやら, a JLPT N1 Japanese grammar point meaning 'or ~ (I don't know)', with structure, nuance, examples, mistakes, and comparisons. JLPT level: N1 · Updated: 2026-05-18 · Canonical: https://hane-app.com/blog/n1-no-yara-no-yara/ **のやら～のやら** means **or ~ (I don't know)** . It is a **JLPT N1** Japanese grammar pattern used to list two or more possibilities while emphasizing that the speaker does not know which one is true — often with a sense of frustration, confusion, or disinterest. This grammar point often appears in conversational Japanese, casual writing, and JLPT N1 listening tasks. If you want to express that you truly don’t know which of several alternatives applies, and you want your Japanese to sound naturally uncertain, **のやら～のやら** is a powerful addition to your toolbox. ## What does のやら～のやら mean? Use **のやら～のやら** when you list two (or more) possibilities and underline that you have no reliable information about which one is the case. The speaker’s stance is unclear, irritated, or simply resigned. Natural translations include: - whether … or … (I don’t know) - I’m not sure if it’s X or Y - X, Y … I can’t tell The pattern is typically conversational and informal; it’s rarely seen in very formal documents. Use it when talking to friends, writing diary entries, or in casual emails. ## How to form のやら～のやら
Verb (plain) + のやら ⤻ Verb (plain) + のやら
い-adj (plain) + のやら ⤻ い-adj (plain) + のやら
Noun / な-adj + なのやら ⤻ Noun / な-adj + なのやら
Examples of the pattern: - 行く(いく)のやら行か(いか)ないのやら - 高い(たかい)のやら安い(やすい)のやら - 本当(ほんとう)なのやら冗談(じょうだん)なのやら The repetition of **のやら** is the core of the pattern. It’s common to drop the second のやら if the meaning is clear: のやら～のやら can become のやら… but the full form is more emphatic. ## When is のやら～のやら used? Use **のやら～のやら** in situations like: - expressing uncertainty about two contrasting options (go or not go, true or false, etc.) - showing frustration because you can’t get a clear answer - being indifferent or resigned about the outcome - reporting second-hand information where the facts aren’t clear Tone and register: - casual, conversational, sometimes slightly emotional - often appears in spoken Japanese, manga, and informal blog posts ## のやら～のやら example sentences
彼かれが来くるのやら来こないのやら、さっぱりわからない。
Whether he’ll come or won’t come, I have absolutely no idea.
uncertainty plain verbs
この料理りょうり、辛からいのやら甘あまいのやら判断はんだんできない。
I can’t tell if this dish is spicy or sweet.
i-adj frustration
あの話はなしは本当ほんとうなのやら冗談じょうだんなのやら、誰だれにもわからない。
Nobody can tell if that story was true or just a joke.
noun / na-adj mystery
子こどもが喜よろこんでいるのやら怒おこっているのやら、表情ひょうじょうが複雑ふくざつだ。
The child’s expression is so complicated I can’t tell if they’re happy or angry.
emotion verb
結果けっかが良よいのやら悪わるいのやら、説明せつめいが曖昧あいまいで困こまる。
I’m troubled because the explanation is so vague I don’t know if the result is good or bad.
i-adj resignation
After reading each sentence, notice how **のやら～のやら** paints a picture of an unresolved situation. It isn’t just a neutral alternative; it tells the listener that the speaker is stuck. ## Nuance of のやら～のやら The key nuance is **“I genuinely don’t know — and that bothers me (or I’ve given up).”** This is more than just listing options. If you only want to say “X or Y” in a question, you can use **か～か** (e.g., 来る(くる)か来(こ)ないか). Adding **のやら** layers on emotional colour: - frustration: you should know, but you don’t - confusion: the situation is unclear - resignation: it doesn’t matter, so you stop worrying Because the pattern repeats, it often feels rhythmic and casual. In JLPT N1 listening, the speaker’s intonation usually drops or trails off, underlining the uncertainty. ## のやら～のやら vs か～か Both patterns list alternatives, but the nuance is different.
のやら～のやら
Uncertainty with emotion
The speaker doesn’t know and feels confused, irritated, or gives up.
来る(くる)のやら来(こ)ないのやら、さっぱりだ。
Whether he’ll come or not, I have absolutely no idea.
vs
か～か
Simple alternative
Neutral listing of options; often used to ask or report factually.
来る(くる)か来(こ)ないか、まだわからない。
I still don’t know if he’ll come or not. (No strong emotion)
If you can feel the speaker’s irritation, use **のやら～のやら**. If the statement is matter-of-fact, **か～か** is enough. ## Common mistakes with のやら～のやら Watch out for these mistakes:
❌ 学生(がくせい)やら社会人(しゃかいにん)やら、わからない。
✅ 学生(がくせい)なのやら社会人(しゃかいにん)なのやら、わからない。
With nouns and な-adjectives, you need なのやら. Without な, it’s a different pattern (やら = “and things like that”).
❌ おいしいのやらまずいやら。
✅ おいしいのやらまずいのやら。
The second item still needs のやら. Leaving it out can sound incomplete unless the context is very clear.
❌ 来る(くる)のやら、来(こ)ないのやら、決め(きめ)てください。（不自然(ふしぜん)）
✅ 来る(くる)のか来(こ)ないのか、決め(きめ)てください。
When asking someone to decide, use のか～のか or か～か. のやら～のやら implies the speaker is the one who doesn’t know, not a request for decision.
A helpful practice method is to write a sentence with **のやら～のやら**, then rewrite it with **か～か**. If the feeling of confusion or frustration disappears, explain why in your own words. ## Is のやら～のやら on the JLPT?
JLPT N1
Appearance: Listening and occasional reading
Typical task: Understand a speaker’s uncertainty or irritation
Common form: Used with verbs, adjectives, and nouns in informal spoken contexts
Yes, **のやら～のやら** is taught as **JLPT N1** grammar. You need to catch it in listening conversations and understand why the speaker sounds unsure or annoyed. The test may also ask you to select the correct structure (なのやら vs. やら) for a given noun/adjective. ## Practice questions for のやら～のやら
1 Use のやら～のやら to describe a situation where a friend’s answer left you confused. confusion
2 Think of a time you received ambiguous instructions. Write it with のやら～のやら and add an emotional comment. frustration
3 Convert a neutral か～か sentence about weather (e.g., 雨(あめ)か雪(ゆき)かわからない) into the same meaning but now showing your irritation using のやら～のやら. transformation
4 Write a short dialogue: one person asks about a decision, and the other replies with のやら～のやら to show they can’t decide. dialogue
Keep your first sentences simple. Once the rhythm feels natural, layer in more context so the emotional tone becomes clear even without an explicit “I’m frustrated.” ## Learning path for のやら～のやら
1 Master the attachment rules: plain verb / i-adj + のやら, noun / な-adj + なのやら. Drill 5 combinations.
2 Listen to casual Japanese (dramas, podcasts, anime) and pick out the moments where characters use ~のやら~のやら. Notice the tone of voice.
3 Write a paragraph describing a confusing situation using のやら～のやら at least twice. Read it aloud — does it sound irritated enough?
4 Compare with か～か and のか～のか. Make a rule for yourself: when the speaker wants to sound confused or resigned, pick のやら～のやら.
## Related grammar to review next - [の至り(いたり)](/blog/n1-no-itari/) — extreme degree of emotion (honour/shame); similar “の + noun” N1 pattern - [の極み(きわみ)](/blog/n1-no-kiwami/) — the utmost; another elevated “の + noun” expression used in formal or emphatic contexts - [のなんのって](/blog/n1-no-nan-notte/) — “sooo …” ; an expressive N1 pattern for emphasis, often emotional like のやら～のやら - [のやらものやらことやら](/blog/n1-no-yara-mono-yara-koto-yara/) — close cousin that lists vague things or states ## Learn のやら～のやら with Hane If you want to review **のやら～のやら** together with the related patterns above, Hane helps you practice Japanese in short, focused sessions. Browse more lessons here: - [All grammar lessons](/blog/) - [JLPT N1 grammar lessons](/blog/n1/)