何なんとも言いえない

Common word

Meanings

1

expression, i-adjective

indescribable; inexpressible; unspeakable; indefinable; nobody can tell

Used when something is beyond words, or when it's impossible to describe or judge. Can express strong emotion, vagueness, or uncertainty.

その景色けしきは何なんとも言いえない美うつくしさだった。
The scenery was indescribably beautiful.

彼かれの気き持もちは何なんとも言いえない。

His feelings are hard to put into words.

結けっ果かはまだ何なんとも言いえない。

We can't say anything about the results yet.

Written forms

何なんとも言いえない
Standard kanji-kana mixed spelling; the most common written form.
なんとも言いえない
Kana spelling of the first part; often used in casual writing or when avoiding kanji.
何なんともいえない
Variant with いえない in kana; less common but still seen.

Kanji

何what
言say, word

Similar words

言いい表あらわせない
More directly means 'cannot express in words'; 何とも言えない is more idiomatic and can also imply 'it's hard to judge' or 'nobody can tell'.
形けい容ようしがたい
Formal/literary term meaning 'hard to describe'; 何とも言えない is more colloquial and versatile.

Etymology

Phrase composed of 何とも (in any way, really) + 言えない (cannot say). The combination yields the meaning 'cannot be expressed in words' or 'it's impossible to say'.