Japanese word

済ませる

Pronunciation

Romajisumaseru

Meaning

  • verbfinish

Example

宿題を済ませます。shuku dai o su ma se ma su

I finish my homework.

Illustration for 済ませる (finish)

More examples

出かける前に、支度を済ませます。de ka ke ru mae ni shi taku o su ma se ma su

I finish getting ready before I go out.

Core concept

Shows a task being dealt with fully and brought to a finished state.

Common phrases

  • 仕事を済ませるshi goto o su ma se ru

    finish work

  • 用事を済ませるyō ji o su ma se ru

    take care of an errand

  • 食事を済ませるshoku ji o su ma se ru

    finish a meal

Similar words

終えるoeru: To bring an activity or task to its end.
仕上げるshiageru: To complete a task or piece of work and bring it to a finished state.
片付けるkatazukeru: To deal with a task or problem fully and put it in order.

Definition in Japanese

必要な物事を処理して、終わりにする。hitsu yō na mono goto o sho ri shi te o wa ri ni su ru

Word origin

済ませる (sumaseru) comes from the native verb 済む (sumu, "to be settled or finished") in its causative form, with the sense of making a matter settled.

Usage tips

  • Unlike 終える (oeru), which directly emphasizes an ending, 済ませる (sumaseru) often emphasizes dealing with a task as part of a practical routine.

Other meanings

  • take care ofverb
  • manage withverb

Opposites

Related words

  • 済みsumicompletionnoun
  • 済ませ方sumasekataway of finishingnoun

Word lists with this word