「～始末だ」- Resultative Structure with Negative Connotation

Explanation

In Japanese, ～始末だ (しまつだ) is a grammatical structure used to express a result, often with a negative or unfavorable implication. This structure is pronounced as 「しまつだ」 and is connected to the dictionary form of nouns or verbs. It is used to describe an inevitable bad outcome resulting from a certain cause.

Grammar Pattern

Grammar Point	Connection	Explanation
～始末だ	Noun or verb dictionary form + 始末だ	Ends up in... / Reaches the point of...

Basic Usage

～始末だ is used to express a situation where a bad condition continues to develop, ultimately leading to an even worse state. This structure often conveys the speaker's regret or disappointment. For example:

• 彼かれは嘘うそをつき、人ひとを傷きずつけたにもかかわらず、自分じぶんは悪わるくないと言いい出すだ始末だ。
• Kare wa uso o tsuki, hito o kizutsuketa ni mo kakawarazu, jibun wa warukunai to iidasu shimatsu da.
• He lied and hurt others, and in the end, he even claimed he wasn't at fault.
  

Examples

• 昨晩さくばん飲のみ過すぎたせいでこの始末だ。
• Sakuban nomisugita sei de kono shimatsu da.
• This is the result of drinking too much last night.
  

• 遅刻ちこくした上うえにペンぺんすら持もってこず、更さらに居眠いねむりまでする始末だ。
• Chikoku shita ue ni pen sura mottekozu, sara ni inemuri made suru shimatsu da.
• Not only was I late, but I didn't even bring a pen, and to make matters worse, I ended up dozing off.
  

• 誰だれ一人ひとり覚おぼえておらず、みんな忘わすれる始末だ。
• Dare hitori oboeteorazu, minna wasureru shimatsu da.
• No one remembered, and in the end, everyone forgot.
  

• 今いまの４０代だい５０代だいは驕おごり高たかぶっていて、何なにかあればすぐ若者わかものの文句もんくを言いいう始末だ。
• Ima no 40-dai 50-dai wa ogori takabutte ite, nani ka areba sugu wakamono no monku o iu shimatsu da.
• People in their 40s and 50s today are arrogant, and whenever something happens, they immediately complain about the younger generation.
  

Deep Dive

～始末だ often appears after describing a series of bad events or situations, emphasizing that these events ultimately lead to an even worse outcome. This expression carries a strong critical tone and conveys the speaker's disappointment.

• Example:
  • 彼かれは毎日まいにち遅刻ちこくし、仕事しごともせず、結局けっきょくクビになる始末だ。
  • Kare wa mainichi chikoku shi, shigoto mo sezu, kekkyoku kubi ni naru shimatsu da.
  • He was late every day, didn't work, and in the end, he got fired.
    

• Example:
  • 彼女かのじょは毎日まいにち遊あそびに行いいき、家いえ事じもしない、結局けっきょく離婚りこんする始末だ。
  • Kanojo wa mainichi asobi ni iki, kaji mo shinai, kekkyoku rikon suru shimatsu da.
  • She went out to have fun every day, didn't do any housework, and in the end, she got divorced.
    

Summary

～始末だ is a highly useful grammatical structure that helps learners accurately express an inevitable bad outcome resulting from a certain cause. By understanding its usage, connection rules, and real-life examples, learners can better master this grammar point.