Japanese word

済む

Pronunciation

Romajisumu

Meaning

  • verbbe done

Example

仕事が済みます。shi goto ga su mi ma su

The work will be done.

Illustration for 済む (be done)

More examples

この用事は電話だけで済みます。ko no yō ji wa den wa da ke de su mi ma su

This matter can be taken care of by phone alone.

Core concept

It presents a task or matter as reaching its natural endpoint, so the work is finished or the issue is settled.

Common phrases

  • 用事が済むyō ji ga su mu

    finish one's business

  • 無事に済むbu ji ni su mu

    end without trouble

Similar words

終わるowaru: To finish naturally after the required work or time has passed.
片付くkatazuku: To be dealt with completely and brought to a settled state.
解決するkaiketsusuru: To settle a problem or disagreement by finding an answer.
済ませるsumaseru: To cause a task or matter to be completed by taking action.

Definition in Japanese

物事が終わり、必要な処理や決着がつく。mono goto ga o wa ri hitsu yō na sho ri ya ket chaku ga tsu ku

Word origin

済む (sumu) is a native Japanese verb with an old completion-related meaning, and the kanji 済 (sai, "settle") represents that meaning in writing rather than supplying the word's origin.

Usage tips

  • The contrast between 用事が済む (yōji ga sumu) and 用事を済ませる (yōji o sumaseru) shows the difference between completion and causing completion.

Other meanings

  • be resolvedverb

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word