なんであろう
(Nan de aro u)
if not X, what else / what else could it be but X.
Connection rules
- ＋i-adj 〜くて / na-adj + で + なくてなんであろう / なんであろうか.
- ＋Rhetorical affirmation — 'what else could it be?'
- ＋Very literary / formal register.
Examples
1.
これが愛でなくてなんであろう。
Kore ga mede naku te nan de aro u.
If this isn't love, what else could it be?
「if not X, what else / what else could it be but X」
2.
これが奇跡でなくてなんであろうか。
Kore ga kiseki de naku te nan de aro u ka.
If this isn't a miracle, what else?
「if not X, what else / what else could it be but X」
Practice
If this isn't a miracle, what else could it be?
絶体絶命の状況から助かったのは、まさに___。
Romaji also accepted