Japanese grammar
What does いつまで～のやら mean? Japanese grammar N1
いつまで～のやら means I wonder until when…; no telling when….
| Level (estimated, JLPT framework) | N1 |
|---|---|
| Structure | いつまで + 普通形 + のやら |
| Romaji | itsumade noyara |
| Meaning | I wonder until when…; no telling when… |
Forming it
| Verb (ongoing) | いつまで + 続く + のやら |
|---|---|
| Verb (not yet over) | いつまで + 終わらない + のやら |
How to use it
Lamenting that you don't know how long a situation will drag on. Colloquial, with a tone of weariness.
- 「いつまで～のやら」 = "who knows how long until…", expressing WEARINESS at a drawn-out situation.
- An application of 「～のやら」 (uncertainty) with the question word 「いつまで」.
- Usually has no answering clause — the sentence itself is the complaint.
Examples
この暑さ、いつまで続くのやら。
Who knows how long this heat will last.
工事の音、いつまで我慢すればいいのやら。
How much longer must I put up with this construction noise?
Keep in mind
- This is a lament, not a genuine question.
- Often ends with 「～のやら」 and trails off.
Common mistakes
-
Wrongいつまで続くのやらと聞いた。
I thought to myself, who knows when this would end.
Correctいつまで続くのやらと思った。
This is an inward LAMENT, not a question addressed to someone else.
-
Wrongいつまで続くやら。
Who knows when this will end.
Correctいつまで続くのやら。
Need 「の」 before 「やら」.
Exam tips
- 「いつまで～のやら」 = "who knows how long" (lament); requires 「の」 before 「やら」.