Structure
Verb[て]+ しまう
Verb[て] + ちゃう(1)
(1) じゃう(*)
(*) Used when Verb[て]ends with で
Details
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Standard
About てしまう・ちゃう
By combining the conjunction particle て, with the verb しまう (sometimes written as 終う), you are able to express that something was done 'by accident', 'completely', or 'unfortunately'. These meanings may seem quite different, but we will discuss their similarities in a moment. Let's look at a few examples of てしまう first.
Sometimes, てしまう or でしまう will be shortened to a more casual form, which are often used in speech. These forms are as follows:
てしまう will become ちゃう
でしまう will become じゃう
Fun Fact
While て終う is most frequently written in hiragana, て仕舞う may also be seen. There is a slight nuance difference between these two kanji structures, but the primary meaning of しまう will always be that 'something has come to the point where ending/ending up in a specific state cannot be avoided'. This 'no turning back point' may be temporary (likely to be written as 仕舞う), or it may be permanent (likely to be written as 終う).
Due to this 'cannot be avoided' nuance, しまう often comes across as 'totally', as in 'ah… I totally left the chicken in the oven for too long'. In these cases, it is simply expressing the speaker's exasperation that something is 'too late' to change. However, despite regularly being used negatively, てしまう can also be used positively. In these cases it still has the nuance of 'no turning back'.
- ゲームを始める前に宿題を終わらせてしまおう!Let's completely finish my homework before I start playing video games! (I'm going to completely finish my homework before I start playing video games)
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青木先輩、定時までに社長に頼まれたレポートを完成させてしまいましょうよ。Aoki senpai, let's completely finish the report that our boss has asked us to do before work is over.
Synonyms
おわる
To finish, To end
Not studied yet
切る
To do something completely to the end, Utterly, Resolutely
Not studied yet
上がる・上げる
Something is finished, To finish something, Something has come to an end, To do something completely, To do something through
Not studied yet
つい
Accidentally, Unconsciously, Against one's better judgement
Not studied yet
Antonyms
Examples
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傘を忘れてしまった。
I unfortunately forgot my umbrella. (I totally forgot my umbrella)
友達は私のケーキを食べてしまった。
My friend finished off my cake. (eaten completely)・(totally)
お皿が割れてしまった。
(Someone) accidentally broke a plate. (unfortunately・totally)
今出ないと遅れてしまうよ。
If you don't leave now, you will unfortunately be late. (totally)
ごめん!卵を全部使ってしまった。
Sorry! I completely used all the eggs. (Sorry! I totally used all the eggs)
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Online
Using 「しまう」 with other verbs
Tae Kim
Using ~てしまう to express regret or completion of something
LanguagesAreWeird
ちゃう and じゃう
SG Japanese
てしまう / ちゃう How To Stop Sounding Like a Robot
Japanese Ammo
How to use natural Japanese: ちゃう、ちゃった
Cure Dolly [video]
Offline
Genki II 1st Edition
Page 117
みんなの日本語 II
Page 30 [CH 29]
Genki II 2nd Edition
Page 145
[DBJG] A Dictionary of Basic Japanese Grammar
Page 2 & 403
Tae Kim's Japanese Grammar Guide
Page 232
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てしまう・ちゃう – Grammar Discussion
Most Recent Replies (24 in total)
Pablunpro
Hello!
I just saw Kaname Naito’s video on this grammar and thought it was quite clarifying. Would it be a good idea to add it to the オンライン section?
Thank you for your consideration, 良い一日を
xgc1986
Hi, for some reason it says my solution is wrong, is it wrong using the polite form or I am missing something?
Fuga
Hey @xgc1986 !
We have just added わすれてしまいました to the list of answers that would trigger a hint so that the it wouldn’t be counted as wrong!
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