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Grammar detail: 〜のか
〜のか - embedded question / expressing doubt
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phrase A
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In this form, the のか turns phrase A into an embedded / indirect question, which is then commented on or reflected on by phrase B. のか is the combination of の (as a 'nominalizer', which turns the entire previous phrase into a noun) and か (the question marker).
If phrase B is omitted, のか is simply a way of asking a direct question, but with a slightly different nuance to the question marker か alone. It tends to imply that the questioner is doubting the object of the question, where か or ですか etc are more neutral.
More information / references
- http://selftaughtjapanese.com/2020/02/10/japanese-literary-expression-〜のか〜-no-ka/ ⇗
Kanji used in this grammar
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