N1100/186

でなくてなんだろう

Noun + でなくてなんだろうNa-adjective + でなくてなんだろうVerb dictionary form + でなくてなんだろう? (less common)

Meanings

If X is not Y, then what is it?
What else could it be if it's not X?
So if not X, then what is it?

About this pattern

Explanation

This expression is used when you’re speculating about what something is or what its role could be, given that it is not the expected or assumed thing. It conveys surprise or curiosity and invites a consideration of alternatives. It often appears after stating that something is not something else, followed by a question about what it might be instead. It can carry a gentle, reflective, or slightly surprised tone rather than strong certainty.

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Example sentences

この模様は鳥の尾ではなくてなんだろう。

I wonder what this pattern is if it isn’t a bird’s tail.

彼の言い方は友達でなくてなんだろう。

I wonder what his way of speaking is if it isn’t friendly.

Related patterns

に至るまで

from ... to ...; from start to finish; up to and including

たところで

No matter how ~, it won't change the outcome; Even if ~, the result is still unlikely; Even though ~, it doesn't matter; it's futile to ~

如く・如き・如し

like; similar to; as if; the same as

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More N1 patterns

に至るまで

from ... to ...; from start to finish; up to and including

たところで

No matter how ~, it won't change the outcome; Even if ~, the result is still unlikely; Even though ~, it doesn't matter; it's futile to ~

如く・如き・如し

like; similar to; as if; the same as

to be worthy of; to be enough for; to be sufficient

極まりない・極まる

extreme; extremely; unbearably; to an extreme degree

といえども

Even though; Even if; Although; Despite