Meaning and Usage
The verb 済む (すむ) primarily means "to finish" or "to be completed." It is often used to express that a task, event, or obligation has ended or been resolved. It can also imply that something is settled or taken care of, such as paying bills or resolving problems.
Common Contexts
- Completing tasks: 宿題が済む (homework is finished)
- Settling matters: 話し合いで済ませる (to settle by discussion)
- Paying debts or fees: 家賃が済む (rent is paid)
Collocations and Patterns
- 済む + た (past tense): to indicate completion.
- ～で済む: to get by with, to settle by means of.
- ～が済む: something is finished or completed.
Register and Nuance
済む is neutral and common in both spoken and written Japanese. It can be used in polite contexts when combined with polite forms (e.g., 済みました).
Common Learner Mistake
Don’t confuse 済む with 終わる (おわる), which also means "to end." 済む often implies completion with a nuance of resolution or settling, while 終わる simply means something ends. For example, 宿題が終わった means "homework ended," but 宿題が済んだ emphasizes the homework is done and settled.