Learn Japanese grammar: てしまう (te shimau) & ちゃう (chau). Meaning: to do something by accident, to finish completely.
This may in some cases also express regret, but not always.
てしまう (te shimau)
This is the standard version:
- てしまう = to do by accident / to finish
- てしまった = did by accident / finished
- てしまいました = did by accident / finished (more formal)
ちゃう/じゃう (chau / jau)
This is the more casual version, which instead uses a verb’s stem form:
- ちゃう = to do by accident / to finish (casual)
- ちゃった = did by accident / finished (casual)
NOTE: If the verb’s dictionary form ends with ぶ (bu) , む (mu) , ぬ (nu) or ぐ (gu), it becomes じゃう (jau) or じゃった (jatta).
- じゃう = to do by accident / to finish (casual)
- じゃった = did by accident / finished (casual)
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てしまう / ちゃう - Example Sentences 例文
Each example sentence includes a Japanese hint, the romaji reading, and the English translation.
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Example #1
仕事は全部終わってしまいました。
Example #2
疲れが出たので、寝ちゃった。
Example #3
パスポートをなくしてしまいました。
Example #4
漢字の宿題はもうやってしまいました。
Example #5
明日までに宿題をしちゃいます。
Example #6
ごめん！ジュースを全部飲んじゃった！
Example #7
昼ごはんまでにレポートを書いてしまいました。
Example #8
兄はケーキを食べてしまいました。
Example #9
失敗するのを気にしたら、まちがいなく失敗してしまう。
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