てしまう

to do something by accident, to finish, to do something completely

Build a strong foundation of Japanese with a high-frequency grammar and real-world phrases.

てしまう is a versatile Japanese verb form that expresses the completion of an action, often with additional nuances depending on context. It can convey:

1. An action completed unintentionally or by accident (sometimes with a sense of regret).

2. A negative consequence or something that happened unfortunately.

3. The thorough or complete finishing of an action without any negative implication.

This structure is formed by attaching しまう to the て-form of a verb. In casual speech, it is often shortened to ちゃう (or じゃう), adding a conversational and informal tone. The choice between the full and contracted forms depends on the level of formality and the speaker’s relationship with the listener.

Whether expressing regret, finality, or unintended outcomes, てしまう is a versatile tool for nuanced communication in Japanese. Its usage reflects cultural values of politeness, responsibility, and emotional subtlety in daily interactions.

Structure

Verb [ て ] + しまう

Verb [ て ] + しまった

Verb [ て ] + しまいます (polite)

Verb [ て ] + ちゃう

Verb [ て ] + ちゃった

Verb [ て ] + ちゃいます (polite)

Verb [ で ] + じゃう

Verb [ で ] + じゃった

Verb [ で ] + じゃいます (polite)

JLPT Level

Key uses

1. Expressing unintentional actions or regret

てしまう often conveys that something happened unintentionally or with a sense of regret, especially when the outcome is undesirable or unfortunate.

[ Additional Insight ]

This use emphasizes unintended consequences or feelings of remorse, making it ideal for apologizing or reflecting on mishaps. It’s particularly effective for expressing oops moments or situations where the speaker feels responsibility or embarrassment.

2. Expressing completion

In a neutral or positive context, てしまう can simply indicate that an action has been fully completed, without implying regret. It highlights the finality or thoroughness of an action.

[ Additional Insight ]

This usage focuses on the completion of an action and is suitable for describing finished tasks or achievements in both formal and casual contexts. It lacks any emotional undertone, serving purely as a statement of fact.

3. Using ちゃう in casual speech

In everyday speech, てしまう is often shortened to ちゃう (or じゃう for verbs ending in で), creating a more relaxed, conversational tone. This contracted form can express both completion and unintentional actions in a casual way.

[ Additional Insight ]

This use is conversational and laid-back, making it perfect for friendly or informal chats. The contraction adds a sense of immediacy and natural flow, commonly heard in casual Japanese.

4. Describing unavoidable consequences

てしまう can also express that an event occurred as an unavoidable consequence, where the speaker does not necessarily regret the action but acknowledges that it happened and could not have been helped.

[ Additional Insight ]

This nuance acknowledges the inevitability of the situation, allowing the speaker to explain what happened without explicitly blaming themselves. It’s a subtle but important distinction for contextualizing cause and effect.