Japanese grammar is an essential part of learning the Japanese language.

It is the set of rules that govern the way words are combined to form sentences in the Japanese language. Japanese grammar is known for its complex system of particles, which are small words that are added to the end of nouns or verbs to indicate the grammatical function of the word in the sentence. 

In this post, We will talk about JLPT N4 Grammar: てしまう / ちゃう

JLPT N4 Grammar てしまう / ちゃう (te shimau / chau)

he Japanese grammar pattern “てしまう” (te shimau) is used to indicate that an action or event has been completed, often with unintended or undesirable consequences. It is similar to the English expression “to end up doing something.”

Form

Verb (て form) しまう

しまいます

しまった

Verb (て form) ちゃう

ちゃった

Verb (で form) じゃう

じゃった

For example:

この本を読んでしまった。(I ended up reading this book.)

雨が降ってしまった。(It ended up raining.)

彼に会ってしまった。(I ended up meeting him.)

“てしまう” can be used with verbs and adjectives in the past tense. It is often used to express regret or apology.

For example:

彼女に怒ってしまった。(I ended up getting angry with her.)

お腹がすいてしまった。(I ended up getting hungry.)

Note that “てしまう” is often used with the negative form of verbs and adjectives to express that something did not happen or was not completed as intended.

For example:

食べてしまわなかった。(I didn’t end up eating it.)

寝てしまわなかった。(I didn’t end up sleeping.)

Here are 10 sentences using the “てしまう” grammar pattern:

1. 手紙を書いてしまった。(I ended up writing the letter.)
2. 電車を乗り過ごしてしまった。(I missed my stop and ended up going too far on the train.)
3. 時間を忘れてしまった。(I ended up forgetting the time.)
4. 彼に会ってしまった。(I ended up meeting him.)
5. 彼女に怒ってしまった。(I ended up getting angry with her.)
6. お腹がすいてしまった。(I ended up getting hungry.)
7. 寝てしまった。(I ended up falling asleep.)
8. 財布を忘れてしまった。(I ended up forgetting my wallet.)
9. パンを焼いてしまった。(I ended up baking bread.)
10. この本を読んでしまった。(I ended up reading this book.)