Today’s topic：～てしまいました
Meaning of “～てしまいました”
- It is used to tell someone that you are in trouble because of a failure or mistake.
- It is an effective way to convey your feelings of frustration and disappointment, and your desire for help to the other person.
- It also includes a feeling of regret, “I should have done that”.
How to use “～てしまいました”？
- The te-form of the verb is used, as in “Verb (te form)-しまいました.”
例 ） 電車 の 中 にスマホをわすれてしまいました I left my phone on the train.
さいふを 落 としてしまいました I dropped my wallet. - When talking with friends, you can also say “ちゃった(Casual)” instead of “てしまいました(Polite)”.
例 ）おかしを 食 べすぎてしまいました → おかしを 食 べすぎちゃった I ate too many sweets.
The Characters
John san
Born in America. He is studying Japanese at a Japanese school. He loves Japanese anime and food!
Yumi sensei
She is a Japanese teacher in John’s class. She loves sports and enjoys jogging on her days off.
Hello, sensei. Oh…what happened to your hand?
Hello, John-san. Oh, this? I accidentally touched a hot pot while cooking yesteday.
Ouch, that looks painful. Please take care of yourself.
Thank you.
You mentioned “あついなべにさわってしまった.”
I have a question – what does “てしまった” mean? Is it different from “さわりました”?
That’s a great question! Let’s study “～てしまいました” together today.
What does “～てしまいました” mean?
For example, let’s take a look at a scene like this.
Woman ：すみません。 電車 の 中 にスマホをわすれてしまったんですけど・・・。 Excuse me, I left my smartphone on the train…
Station attendant ：スマホですね。 確認 しますので、 少々 おまちください。 A smartphone, right? Let me confirm that for you, please wait a moment.
What happened to the woman?
She says she forgot her smartphone on the train.
Yes, that’s right. How do you think she’s feeling when she talks to the station attendant?
Hmm… I think she’s worried and upset because she lost her smartphone. She must be in trouble.
That’s right. The woman used the phrase “わすれてしまったんです” which conveys a sense of worry, trouble, and regret.
John-san, have you ever lost something important?
Yes, I lost my wallet once and went to the police box for help.
How did you feel when you talked to the officer?
I was worried and asked for help.
That’s understandable, since there were important things in your wallet.
Yes, my part-time job salary and my residence card were also inside. I had put them in my pants pocket, but I realized I should have put them in my bag instead.
Right. When we want to express that we’re in trouble or upset because of a mistake or failure, we can use the phrase “～てしまいました.”
Using “わすれてしまったんです” instead of “わすれたんです” can help to convey a sense of regret, disappointment, or a desire for help to the person we’re speaking to.
Ah, so it’s used when we want to tell someone that we’re in trouble.
Yes, that’s right. And as you mentioned earlier, there is also the regret of “I should have put it in my bag instead of in my pants pocket.
I see. So if I lose my wallet again, I can go to the police box and say “さいふを落 としてしまったんです (I dropped my wallet.)”!
Yes, you could! But let’s try not to lose it again, okay?
Yes, I’ll be careful… Oh, and please be careful when you’re cooking, sensei.
Yes, that’s a good reminder. I actually burned myself on a hot pot yesterday and felt like I failed and was in trouble. I realized I should have been more careful.
So you said “あついなべをさわってしまったんです(I touched a hot pot)”?
Yes, that’s right. There are many things we need to be careful about in our daily lives, aren’t there?
Now let us summarize the meaning of “～てしまいました.”
Meaning of “～てしまいました”
- It is used to tell someone that you are in trouble because of a failure or mistake.
- It is an effective way to convey your feelings of frustration and disappointment, and your desire for help to the other person.
- It also includes a feeling of regret, “I should have done that”.
How to use “～てしまいました“？
In front of “～しまいました” is て-form, isn’t it?
Yes, the て-form of the verb is used. “～てしまいました” is a polite way to say it, and when you are talking with a good friend, you can also say “～ちゃった”. The usual form of “わすれてしまいました” is “わすれてしまった,” and is used as in “スマホをわすれちゃった.”
A Japanese friend of mine said, “おかしを たべすぎちゃった(I ate too much snacks).” It means the same thing as “～てしまいました.”
How to use “～てしまいました”？
- The te-form of the verb is used, as in “Verb (te form)-しまいました.”
例 ） 電車 の 中 にスマホをわすれてしまいました I left my phone on the train.
さいふを 落 としてしまいました I dropped my wallet. - When talking with friends, you can also say “ちゃった(Casual)” instead of “てしまいました(Polite)”.
例 ）おかしを 食 べすぎてしまいました → おかしを 食 べすぎちゃった I ate too many sweets.
Let’s practice in various situations.
OK, I’ll try!
Let’s Practice!
Teacher ： 教科書 の10ページを 見 てください。
You： 先生 、すみません。（ ）。
You are at the hospital talking to the doctor now.
Doctor ：どうしましたか。
You： 料理 をしていて、（ ）。
Friend：おそかったね。どうしたの？
You：ごめん・・・（ ）。
Let’s think about it with John-san!
It’s done. What do you think?
Answers
Teacher ： 教科書 の10ページを 見 てください。 Please look at page 10 in your textbook.
You： 先生 、すみません。（ 教科書 をうちにわすれてしまいました ）。 I’m sorry. I forgot my textbook at home.
You are at the hospital talking to the doctor now.
Doctor ：どうしましたか。 What’s wrong?
You： 料理 をしていて、（ ほうちょうで 指 を 切 ってしまったんです ）。 I was cooking and cut my finger on the broomstick.
Friend：おそかったね。どうしたの？ You were late. What happened?
You：ごめん・・・（ ねぼうしちゃった ）。 I’m sorry… I fell asleep.
Well done. Did you understand the meaning and use of “～てしまいました”?
Yes, I understand very well. If I have a problem, I will use this grammar.
Yes, please use it.
By the way, your composition homework is due today, have you brought it?
Oh… Sensei, I’m sorry. I forgot it at home…
Please bring it in tomorrow.
Vocabularies from this article
| なべ | nabe | pot |
| 場面 | bamen | scene |
| 電車 | densha | train |
| スマホ | sumaho | smart phone |
| 駅員 | ekiin | station attendant |
| 確認 します | kakunin shimasu | I’ll check. |
| しんぱい | shinpai | concern |
| こまる | komaru | be troubled |
| さいふ | saifu | purse |
| 交番 | kooban | police box |
| 給料 | kyuuryoo | salary |
| 在留 カード | zairyuu kaado | resident card |
| 失敗 する | shippai suru | failure |
| ざんねんな | zannenna | I’m sorry |
| こうかい | kookai | regret |
| ていねいな | teineena | polite |
| 教科書 | kyookasho | textbook |
| ほうちょう | hoochoo | kitchen knife |
| 指 | yubi | finger |
| 病院 | byooin | hospital |
| 医者 | isha | doctor |
| ねぼう | neboo | late riser |
| やくそく | yakusoku | promise |
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