Japanese grammar
What does ～ものか mean? Japanese grammar N2
～ものか means there's no way…!; not a chance….
| Level (estimated, JLPT framework) | N2 |
|---|---|
| Structure | Vる + ものか い形 + ものか な形／N + な + ものか |
| Romaji | monoka |
| Meaning | there's no way…!; not a chance… |
Forming it
| Verb | 行く → 行くものか |
|---|---|
| Polite | 許す → 許すものですか |
| na-adjective | 簡単 → 簡単なものか |
How to use it
A strong negation via rhetorical question. Colloquial, an annoyed or emphatic tone.
- 「～ものか」 = as if… would ever…: 「あんな店、二度と行くものか」 (as if I'd ever go back to that shop).
- It's a rhetorical question, so it does NOT need an answer; the real meaning is a strong negation.
- Male colloquial speech often shortens it to 「もんか」; the polite form is 「ものですか」. Because it's blunt, it's not used with superiors.
Examples
あんな店、二度と行くものか。
As if I would ever go to that shop again.
この仕事が簡単なものか。三日も徹夜したんだ。
Easy? Hardly — I stayed up three nights straight.
Keep in mind
- A na-adjective and noun attach with 「な」.
- Not used with a superior.
Common mistakes
-
Wrongこんな仕事、誰が引き受けようものか。
As if anyone would ever take on a job like this.
Correctこんな仕事、誰が引き受けるものか。
「ものか」 attaches to the dictionary form, not the volitional form.
-
Wrong（部長に）そんなことがあるものか。
I don't think that's the case.
Correct（部長に）そのようなことはないと思います。
「ものか」 is too blunt to say to a superior.
Exam tips
- 「ものか」 = as if… would ever… (rhetorical question = strong negation); na-adjectives need 「な」.