なにやら
Meanings
1
usually written using kana alone
Used when the speaker is unsure of the exact nature of something, often with a nuance of vagueness or indirectness. Similar to 何か but slightly more formal or literary.
See also: 何か (なにか)
He is reading some kind of difficult book.
There's some kind of nice smell coming from the kitchen.
2
usually written using kana alone
Expresses that something happens without a clear reason, often with a sense of mild surprise or curiosity. Similar to なぜか but softer.
See also: 何か (なにか)
For some reason I feel good today.
He suddenly started laughing for some reason.
Usage patterns
- 何やら〈物〉があるようだit looks like there's something (unspecified)
It looks like there's something inside the box.
- 何やら〈形容詞〉feeling somehow ~ without a clear reason
For some reason I felt lonely.
- 何やら〈事〉が起こったらしいit seems something (unspecified) happened
It seems something happened.
- 何やら〈動詞〉ているsomething is going on, though it's not clear why or what
There's some commotion going on outside, for some reason.
Expressions
- 何が何やらwhat's what; heads or tails
- 何が何やらわからないnot knowing what's what; unable to make heads or tails