Japanese word

羽目

Pronunciation

Romajihame

Meaning

  • nounpredicament

Example

失敗の責任を一人で負う羽目になりました。ship pai no seki nin o hito ri de o u ha me ni na ri ma shi ta

I ended up having to take responsibility for the failure alone.

Illustration for 羽目 (predicament)

More examples

寝坊したので、朝食を抜く羽目になりました。ne bō shi ta no de chō shoku o nu ku ha me ni na ri ma shi ta

Because I overslept, I ended up having to skip breakfast.

Core concept

Describes being placed in an unwanted situation that brings trouble or an unwelcome obligation.

Common phrases

  • 羽目になるha me ni na ru

    end up in a difficult situation

  • 羽目に追い込まれるha me ni o i ko ma re ru

    be forced into a difficult situation

Similar words

窮地kyūchi: A difficult situation from which it is hard to escape.
苦境kukyō: A state of serious difficulty caused by ongoing problems.
難局nankyoku: A difficult situation that requires a solution or careful handling.

Definition in Japanese

不本意な事情などによって置かれる、困った立場や状況。fu hon i na ji jō na do ni yo tte o ka re ru koma tta tachi ba ya jō kyō

Word origin

The Japanese noun 羽目 (hame) originally referred to a panel fitted into a wall and later developed a figurative sense of an imposed situation.

Usage tips

  • The pattern 羽目になる (hame ni naru) often marks an unwanted outcome, adding a sense of trouble to an account of what happened.

Other meanings

  • panelnoun

Word lists with this word