JapaneseJLPT
JLPT N3 grammar · Chapter 24

～て済む

A simple action is enough to settle the matter

You’ll be able to say that a problem, duty, or consequence can be resolved with a limited action or cost.

Illustration of the scene described by Because it was a minor scrape, it was settled just by putting on medicine.
Read it first

小ちいさな怪我けがだったので、薬くすりを塗ぬって済すみました。

chiisana kega datta node, kusuri o nutte sumimashita.

What do you think this sentence means?

Because it was a minor scrape, it was settled just by putting on medicine.

Why it means that

Settle an issue with a simpler action

～て済すむ indicates that an issue or problem can be settled or resolved with that modest action alone, without requiring greater effort, expense, or hardship.

Examples

道みちを間違まちがえたけど、一駅ひとえき戻もどって済すんだ。

michi o machigaeta kedo, hitoeki modotte sunda.

I took a wrong turn, but I only had to go back one station.

財布さいふを忘わすれたけど、友達ともだちに借かりて済すんだ。

saifu o wasureta kedo, tomodachi ni karite sunda.

I forgot my wallet, but borrowing from a friend took care of it.

How it is built

Connecting actions to 済む

Attach 済すむ to the て-form of a verb to show that the matter is settled with that action alone.

verb て-form+済む
Example

少すこし謝あやまって済すむ話はなしなら、意地いじを張はらないほうがいい。

sukoshi ayamatte sumu hanashi nara, iji o haranai hou ga ii.

If it is a matter that can be settled just by apologizing a little, it is better not to be stubborn.

Compare

～て済む vs ～ないで済む

～て済む says a small action was enough to settle things. ～ないで済む says you did not have to do it at all.

  • ～て済む, only had to

    少すこし並ならんで済すんだ。

    sukoshi narande sunda.

    I only had to wait in line a little.

    You did it, but only a little.

  • ～ないで済む, didn't have to

    並ならばないで済すんだ。

    narabanaide sunda.

    I didn't have to wait in line.

    You didn’t need to do it at all.

Examples

道みちに迷まよったが、近ちかくにいた人ひとに聞きいて済すんだ。

michi ni mayotta ga, chikaku ni ita hito ni kiite sunda.

I got lost, but asking someone nearby was enough to sort it out.

パソコンが壊こわれたかと思おもったが、一度いちど電源でんげんを入いれ直なおして済すんだ。

pasokon ga kowareta ka to omotta ga, ichido dengen o irenaoshite sunda.

I thought my computer might be broken, but just restarting it once took care of it.

予約よやくの変更へんこうはアプリで手続てつづきして済すむので、店みせに電話でんわしなくてもいいですよ。

yoyaku no henkou wa apuri de tetsuzuki shite sumu node, mise ni denwa shinakute mo ii desu yo.

You can change your reservation just by doing it in the app, so you don’t need to call the restaurant.

7 more examples in the grammar path — free for a limited time.