何なんとやら

adverb

for some reason; somehow

Expresses that something happens or is the case for an unclear or unspecified reason. Often used when the speaker cannot pinpoint the cause.

• 何なんとやら今日きょうは気き分ぶんがすぐれない。

  For some reason I don't feel well today.

• 何なんとやら彼かれの話はなしは信しん用ようできない気きがする。

  Somehow I feel I can't trust what he says.

expression

whatsitsname; what-you-call-it; Mr. so-and-so

Used as a placeholder when the speaker cannot recall or does not want to specify a name or term. Often appears in the pattern ～とか何とやら.

• あの、何なんとやらさんがまた来きてたよ。

  That, what's-his-name, was here again.

• 新あたらしい企き画かくとか何なんとやらで忙いそがしいらしい。

  He seems busy with a new project or what-you-call-it.

expression

and so on; and the like

Follows a noun or phrase to imply there are other similar things left unmentioned. Similar to など, but more colloquial and often used when the speaker is being vague.

• 彼かれは仕し事ごとがどうの、給きゅう料りょうが何なんとやらと文もん句くばかり言いっている。

  He's always complaining about his work, his salary, and so on.

• 最さい近きんは健けん康こうが何なんとやらで、ジムに通かよい始はじめた。

  Lately, with health and all that, I started going to the gym.