ものやら (mono-yara): I wonder; who knows
～ものやら (mono-yara)
Meaning
I wonder; who knows
Formation and usage
question word + plain clause + ものやら
Notation: N = noun; V dictionary = dictionary-form verb; V stem = the stem before ます; plain clause = plain-form clause; negative stem = the form before ない. Follow the attachment shown above.
Explanation
Expresses uncertainty or puzzlement rather than directly asking the listener for an answer.
Examples
会議がいつ終わるものやら、見当もつかない。
I have no idea when the meeting will finally end.
試験がいつ終わるものやら、見当もつかない。
I have no idea when the exam will finally end.
研修がいつ終わるものやら、見当もつかない。
I have no idea when the training session will finally end.
発表会がいつ終わるものやら、見当もつかない。
I have no idea when the presentation event will finally end.
面接がいつ終わるものやら、見当もつかない。
I have no idea when the interview will finally end.
How related patterns differ
まい can express negative intention or conjecture; まいか can convey uncertainty. ものやら wonders about something hard to know. というわけではない rejects an interpretation, も何も rejects a premise, and と思いきや introduces a surprising reversal.