This phrase means 'What else could it be but this?' You use it to say something is definitely true. It shows you feel very strongly about it.
Noun + でなくてなんだろうPrimary
This phrase means 'What else could it be but this?' You use it to say something is definitely true. It shows you feel very strongly about it.
毎日君のことばかり考えてしまう。これが恋でなくてなんだろう。
I think about you all day, every day. If this isn't love, what is it?
彼のあの行動が、英雄的行為でなくてなんだろうか、と後になって思った。
Later on, I thought to myself, 'If that action of his wasn't a heroic deed, what was it?'
一枚の絵に人生の全てが描かれている。これが芸術でなくてなんだろう。
An entire life is depicted in this single painting. If this isn't art, what is it?
これほどの苦しみ、地獄でなくてなんだろう。
This much suffering... if it's not hell, what is it?
何年もの努力が実を結んだこの瞬間、これが至福でなくてなんだろう。
This moment, when years of effort have finally borne fruit—if this isn't pure bliss, what is it?
This is like asking a question but you already know the answer. You use it to show you are very sure about something. It's like saying, 'This is definitely true.'
This phrase is emotional. It shows strong feelings. '〜に他ならない' is more formal. It states facts. '〜以外のなにものでもない' is also strong. It is very definite.
Don't use this when you are talking to friends. It sounds too formal. You use this in books or speeches. It always comes after a noun. It does not change for past or future.
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