N2Judgment & Opinion

V/A (ordinary form) + ものか / もんか (Na-adj: なものか / N: なものか)

Q: Is "Using this pattern in formal speech or writing." correct?

No. The correct form is "Use formal speech or writing patterns instead.". This pattern is too casual and informal for formal speech or writing.

Q: Is "Mixing this pattern with ～ものだ (social norm/advice)." correct?

No. The correct form is "Use ～ものだ for social norms or advice.". ～ものだ is used to express social norms or advice, while this pattern is used to express strong denial or skepticism.

Q: Is "Using this pattern with formal speech 'desu/masu'." correct?

No. The correct form is "Use informal speech instead.". This pattern is too casual and informal for formal speech 'desu/masu'.

Certainly not; as if; used to express strong denial

Definition

Meaning

The grammar pattern "V/A (ordinary form) + ものか / もんか" is used to express strong denial or skepticism in informal speech. It is often used to convey a sense of incredulity or astonishment, and can be translated to English as 'Certainly not' or 'As if'. This pattern is commonly used in casual conversations and is not suitable for formal speech or writing.

Structure

Formation Rules

Form	Pattern	Example
Verb (plain form)	Verb + ものか / もんか	食べる + ものか / もんか
Adjective (na-adjective form)	Adjective + なものか / なものんか	失礼な + なものか / なものんか
Noun (plain form)	Noun + なものか / なものんか	荷物 + なものか / なものんか

Examples

Example Sentences

あんな失礼な店、二度と食べるものか。

Anna shitsurei na ten, nidou to taberu monoka.

I'll certainly not go to that rude shop again.

あんな (such a), 失礼な (rude), 店 (shop), 二度と (not again), 食べる (to eat), ものか (certainly not)

彼が正直なものか。嘘ばかりついているじゃないか。

Kare ga seijitsu na mono ka. Uso bakari tsuite iru janai ka.

He's certainly not honest. He's always telling lies, isn't he?

彼が (he), 正直な (honest), ものか (certainly not), 嘘ばかり (always lies), ついている (telling), じゃないか (isn't he)

こんなに重い荷物、一人で持てるもんか。

Konna ni omoi kui nimotsu, hitori de moteru monka.

I'll certainly not be able to carry this heavy luggage by myself.

こんなに (such a), 重い (heavy), 荷物 (luggage), 一人 (by myself), で (to), 持てる (to carry), もんか (certainly not)

Context

Usage Notes

This pattern is used in informal speech and is not suitable for formal speech or writing. It is often used to express strong denial or skepticism, and can be used in casual conversations with friends or family. Be careful not to mix this pattern with ～ものだ (social norm/advice) or ～ことか (exclamatory).

Watch out

Common Mistakes

Using this pattern in formal speech or writing.

Use formal speech or writing patterns instead.

This pattern is too casual and informal for formal speech or writing.

Mixing this pattern with ～ものだ (social norm/advice).

Use ～ものだ for social norms or advice.

～ものだ is used to express social norms or advice, while this pattern is used to express strong denial or skepticism.

Using this pattern with formal speech 'desu/masu'.

Use informal speech instead.

This pattern is too casual and informal for formal speech 'desu/masu'.

Strategy

JLPT Exam Tips

Be careful not to mix this pattern with other similar patterns, and make sure to use it in the correct context. Pay attention to the tone and register of the sentence, and choose the correct pattern accordingly.

In context