HomeGrammarJLPT N4Verb てしまう (〜te shimau)

Verb てしまう (〜te shimau)

JLPT N4

Explanation

Expresses unintentional actions or actions with regrettable outcomes; 'to end up doing', 'to accidentally do'.

Formation

Detailed explanation

The ~てしまう grammar point is used to indicate unintentional actions or actions with regrettable outcomes. It can often be translated as 'to end up doing' or 'to accidentally do' in English. The formation requires adding しまう to the て-form of a verb.

Examples

Keeki wo zenbu tabete shimatta.

I ended up eating the whole cake.

Shukudai wo wasurete shimaimashita.

I accidentally forgot my homework.

Kare ni himitsu wo itte shimatta.

I accidentally told him the secret.

Nefuda wo mizu ni takai fuku wo katte shimatta.

I ended up buying expensive clothes without looking at the price tag.

Practice

Grammar content sourced from hanabira.org.