in the end; as a result (negative) (始末だ) – Japanese Grammar 始末だ (shimatsu da)

Q: What JLPT level is 始末だ?

JLPT N1 — Advanced · Literary, rhetorical & rare forms

Q: How do you use 始末だ in a sentence?

Attach 始末だ to the appropriate verb or noun form. In the end; as a result (negative)

Q: Is 始末だ formal or casual Japanese?

始末だ is typically used in formal or written Japanese contexts.

始末だ

N1 GRAMMAR ⏱ 0s study 📖 0 today

shimatsu da

in the end; as a result (negative)

とは比べものにならない towa kurabemono ni naranai に則って ni nottotte まじき majiki ものとする mono to suru のやら〜のやら no yara~no yara に即して ni sokushite でなくてなんだろう denakute nan darou たりとも tari tomo 術がない sube ga nai からある / からする/ からの kara aru / kara suru / kara no やれ〜やれ yare~yare こともあって koto mo atte たら〜ところだ tara~tokoro da の極み no kiwami を機に o ki ni ではあるまいし dewa arumai shi とみると to miru to たら〜たで tara~tade とりわけ toriwake あくまでも akumade mo とは比べものにならない towa kurabemono ni naranai に則って ni nottotte まじき majiki ものとする mono to suru のやら〜のやら no yara~no yara に即して ni sokushite でなくてなんだろう denakute nan darou たりとも tari tomo 術がない sube ga nai からある / からする/ からの kara aru / kara suru / kara no やれ〜やれ yare~yare こともあって koto mo atte たら〜ところだ tara~tokoro da の極み no kiwami を機に o ki ni ではあるまいし dewa arumai shi とみると to miru to たら〜たで tara~tade とりわけ toriwake あくまでも akumade mo

🃏 Flashcard

始末だ

shimatsu da

Tap to reveal usage

in the end; as a result (negative)

Tap to test your recall · +10 XP

📊 Pattern Stats

JLPT Level N1

Advanced · Literary, rhetorical & rare forms

Reading shimatsu da

Post ID 51357

Patterns today 0

0 / 10 daily goal

📝 Usage Notes

in the end; as a result (negative)

📖 How to use it

Used to describe an unfortunate or negative outcome that happened in the end, often with a sense of exasperation or regret.

Attaches to Attach to the plain past tense form of a verb (e.g., してしまった始末だ), or to a noun + の始末だ (less common).

This pattern expresses that something ended up in a bad or undesirable state, often after a series of events. It carries a tone of disappointment or criticism. It's like saying 'in the end, things got to the point where...' or 'ended up doing something that...'.

You'll often see it in written Japanese or formal speech, especially in news, essays, or when someone is lamenting a situation. It's not something you'd use casually with friends.

The pattern typically follows a verb in the past tense, showing the final action or state. For example, '借金を返せずに逃げた始末だ' means 'in the end, he ran away without repaying his debt.'

彼は注意を無視して、ついに事故を起こした始末だ。

Kare wa chuui o mushi shite, tsui ni jiko o okoshita shimatsu da.

He ignored the warnings and in the end caused an accident.

新しい社長は約束を破り、社員を辞めさせた始末だ。

Atarashii shachou wa yakusoku o yaburi, shain o yamesaseta shimatsu da.

The new president broke his promises and ended up forcing employees to quit.

彼女は何度も嘘をつき、最後には友人を失った始末だ。

Kanojo wa nando mo uso o tsuki, saigo ni wa yuujin o ushinatta shimatsu da.

She lied many times, and in the end she lost her friends.

Not しまつだ (same pronunciation) from the verb しまう, but here it's a noun 始末 meaning 'management' or 'handling'. In the pattern 始末だ, it's always written with kanji 始末 and means 'end result'. The other しまう is a different word. Also compare with 挙句（あげく）which also means 'in the end' but often used after 〜た挙句に and can be used in more casual settings.

Register Formal and mostly used in written language or formal speech, often in news reports or when expressing criticism in a serious tone.

🎯 Quick Quiz

What does this grammar pattern mean or do?

始末だ

📚 How to Master This Pattern

🔊

Say It Aloud

Press Hear it and repeat 始末だ three times. Feel the rhythm — grammar patterns have a natural flow.

🃏

Flip Before Reading

Always try to recall the usage before flipping the card. Struggle = learning. Every failed recall makes the next one stick harder.

✍️

Write Two Sentences

Compose two original sentences using 始末だ. One about yourself, one about something you see right now.

⏰

Spaced Review

Save this pattern and revisit at 10 min, 1 day, 3 days. Production (writing) beats recognition for grammar.

🔗 More JLPT N1 Patterns

← Previous

さぞ

surely; certainly; no doubt; indeed ~

そばから

as soon as; right after ~

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

What does the grammar pattern 始末だ mean? ▼

In the end; as a result (negative)

What JLPT level is 始末だ? ▼

Nihoner currently groups this pattern under JLPT N1 — Advanced · Literary, rhetorical & rare forms. Use the level label as study guidance rather than a prediction of what will appear on an exam.

How do you use 始末だ in a sentence? ▼

Attach 始末だ (shimatsu da) to the appropriate verb or noun form as described in the usage notes. Then try writing two original sentences — one about yourself and one about something around you.

Is 始末だ formal or casual Japanese? ▼

始末だ is used in formal or written contexts. You will see it mainly in written texts, news, business Japanese and academic contexts.

How can I remember 始末だ long-term? ▼

Use the flashcard on this page for active recall — see the pattern, reconstruct the usage from memory, then flip. Follow with the 4-choice quiz to distinguish it from similar patterns. Review later the same day and again over the following days. Writing original sentences can help you practise using the pattern in context.