Japanese grammar
What does ～しまつだ mean? Japanese grammar N1
～しまつだ means end up doing/being… (negative outcome).
| Level (estimated, JLPT framework) | N1 |
|---|---|
| Structure | Vる + しまつだ |
| Romaji | shimatsuda |
| Meaning | end up doing/being… (negative outcome) |
Forming it
| Connection | Vる + しまつだ |
|---|
How to use it
Recounts a string of bad events, capping it off with the worst outcome. A weary, critical tone.
- 「Vる＋しまつだ」 = it finally came to the point where... The preceding clause usually lists a series of bad events: 「注意しても聞かず、最後には～しまつだ」.
- Attaches to the DICTIONARY FORM even when recounting the past: 「会社を辞めるしまつだ」, not 「辞めたしまつだ」.
- The shortened form 「この始末だ」 is used when the outcome is already clear from context: 「言わんこっちゃない、この始末だ」.
Examples
注意しても聞かず、最後には会社を辞めるしまつだ。
He ignored every warning and finally even quit the company.
借金を重ね、家まで売るしまつになった。
Debts piled up until he even had to sell his house.
Keep in mind
- Attaches to the dictionary form, not the た-form.
- Used only for a bad outcome resulting from an accumulation of bad events.
Common mistakes
-
Wrong会社を辞めたしまつだ。
Correct会社を辞めるしまつだ。
Before しまつだ, the dictionary form is normally used to state the outcome.
Exam tips
- 「Vる＋しまつだ」 = it came to the point where (something bad); attaches to the dictionary form.