動詞てしまう

N4

動詞てしまう

doushi te shimau

Verb てしまう

N4

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Explanation

The grammar point ～てしまう is used to express unintentional or regrettable actions, or to show that something has been completed (often with a sense of finality or regret). It is often translated as 'to end up doing,' 'to finish doing,' or 'to accidentally do.' Attach しまう to the て-form of a verb.

Structure

Pattern
Verb (て-form) + しまう
Verb (て-form)The verb in its て-form (e.g., 食べて, 忘れて, 言って, 買って)
Examples: 食べて, 忘れて, 言って, 買って
しまうAn auxiliary verb expressing completion or regret.
Examples: しまう, しまいました, しまった

Examples

Example 1
ケーキを全部食べてしまった。
Keeki wo zenbu tabete shimatta.
I ended up eating the whole cake.
Breakdown
ケーキcake
をobject marker
全部all/whole
食べてeat (te-form)
しまったended up (regret/completion)
Note: Shows regret or unintended completion.
Example 2
宿題を忘れてしまいました。
Shukudai wo wasurete shimaimashita.
I accidentally forgot my homework.
Breakdown
宿題homework
をobject marker
忘れてforget (te-form)
しまいましたaccidentally did (polite)
Note: Polite form, expresses accidental action.
Example 3
彼に秘密を言ってしまった。
Kare ni himitsu wo itte shimatta.
I accidentally told him the secret.
Breakdown
彼にto him
秘密secret
をobject marker
言ってsay (te-form)
しまったaccidentally did
Note: Implies the speaker regrets telling the secret.
Example 4
値札を見ずに高い服を買ってしまった。
Nefuda wo mizu ni takai fuku wo katte shimatta.
I ended up buying expensive clothes without looking at the price tag.
Breakdown
値札price tag
をobject marker
見ずにwithout looking
高い服expensive clothes
買ってbuy (te-form)
しまったended up (regret)
Note: Emphasizes the unintended result.

Related Grammar

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