〜てしまう

〜てしまう is a て-form extension that expresses end up doing / completely. The て-form is one of the most productive patterns in Japanese — by combining it with various helper verbs and expressions, you can express a wide range of meanings from ongoing actions to requests to sequential events.

This is an intermediate pattern used regularly in everyday Japanese conversation and writing.

Formation#

In casual speech, てしまう contracts to ちゃう, and でしまう to じゃう.

When to Use#

• Unintended or regrettable result: 財布を落としてしまった (I dropped my wallet)
• Complete consumption: 全部食べてしまった (I ate it all up)
• Casual contraction: 忘れちゃった (oops, I forgot)

When NOT to Use#

• In very formal writing where a more sophisticated expression would be expected

Example Sentences#

• 終電を逃してしまいました。 — I completely missed the last train.
• 食べ過ぎて寝てしまいました。 — I ate too much and fell asleep.
• 洗濯機を壊してしまいました。 — I broke the washing machine.

Practice#

Try reading these sentences aloud, then check the translation and vocabulary:

Common Mistakes#

1. Incorrect て-form conjugation — Make sure you correctly form the て-form of the preceding verb before attaching this pattern. Group 1 verbs have sound changes (く→いて, ぐ→いで, す→して, etc.).

Related Patterns#

• 〜ている (ongoing action / state) — Next step