C1 Expressions & Patterns 10 min read Hard

Ending up in a Pathetic State (~始末だ)

Use ~始末だ to express disgust or exasperation when a bad situation spirals into a pathetic, rock-bottom conclusion.
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Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds

Use ～始末だ to describe a situation that has devolved into a regrettable or pathetic final state.

  • Attach to a verb in plain form: {勉強|べんきょう}しない{始末|しまつ}だ。
  • Often preceded by '～という' to emphasize the preceding situation.
  • Used exclusively for negative, disappointing, or embarrassing outcomes.
Action/State + (という) + 始末だ

Overview

At the C1 level, you move beyond simply stating facts to conveying nuanced judgment and emotion. The grammar pattern ~始末だ (~しまつだ) is a prime example of this, used to express frustration, criticism, or resignation toward a situation that has spiraled into a pathetic and foreseeable negative outcome. It’s not just about what happened; it’s about the speaker’s exasperated commentary on the deplorable state of affairs that has been reached.

The key lies in the word 始末 (始末(しまつ)). In other contexts, it can neutrally mean “management,” “settlement,” or “dealing with something.” In this grammar pattern, however, it takes on a deeply ironic meaning. It points to a conclusion that is the very opposite of well-managed—a wretched, mismanaged mess.

Using ~始末だ implies that a series of poor decisions, acts of negligence, or a gradual decline has led to this regrettable endpoint. It carries the feeling of, “...and it ended up like this,” with a heavy sigh of disapproval.

For instance, if a colleague ignores all advice and makes a project fail, you wouldn’t just state the failure. You’d use this pattern to pass judgment: 彼は忠告を無視し続け、プロジェクトを失敗させる始末だ (He kept ignoring advice and ended up making the project fail). This communicates not just the result, but your condemnation of the process that led to it.

It’s a tool for expressing that an outcome is the direct, blameworthy consequence of prior actions, making it completely unsuitable for neutral or positive events.

How This Grammar Works

The core function of ~始末だ is evaluative. It functions less like a simple grammatical connector and more like a label the speaker attaches to a final outcome, declaring it a “pathetic state of affairs.” It frames the entire preceding clause as a 始末—a disgraceful conclusion. This injects the speaker's strong negative feelings, such as disappointment, exasperation, or contempt, directly into the sentence.
The pattern inherently implies a narrative of decline. It is not used for sudden, unpredictable tragedies. Instead, it marks the culmination of a process that was observable and, often, preventable.
There's a strong sense of cause-and-effect, where the miserable end is the logical result of a downward spiral. The speaker’s tone is often one of knowing resignation, as if to say, “What else could you expect?” or “This is what happens when you act so foolishly.”
Linguistically, a verb or noun phrase describes the final, regrettable action or state. ~始末だ attaches to this phrase, transforming a simple description into a profound judgment. The final だ (or its polite form です) serves to emphatically assert the reality of this pathetic situation.
Consider the sentence: さんざん嘘をついたせいで、誰からも信用されない始末だ (Because of all the lies he told, he ended up in a state where no one trusts him). The pattern highlights that being distrusted is not just a result, but a deserving and pathetic consequence.
Furthermore, ~始末だ almost always assigns culpability. The subject is presented as responsible for the chain of events. This distinguishes it from neutral result patterns like ~結果 (~けっか).
When used for your own actions, it becomes a powerful tool for self-deprecation and regret, acknowledging your own poor judgment. For example: 簡単な道を選んだつもりが、かえって迷子になる始末だ (I thought I chose the easy path, but on the contrary, I just ended up getting lost). Here, the speaker laments their own foolish decision.

Formation Pattern

1
The structure for forming ~始末だ is consistent and attaches to the plain form of verbs or to nouns using the particle という. The choice of verb form subtly changes the focus of the pathetic outcome.
2
Here are the primary patterns:
3
Verb (Dictionary Form) + 始末だ
4
This is the most common formation. It marks the final action itself as the regrettable conclusion.
5
兄は酒を飲みすぎて、警察沙汰を起こす始末だ ({あに}は{さけ}を{のみ}すぎて、{けいさつざた}を{おこ}す{しまつ}だ - My older brother drank too much and ended up causing trouble with the police).
6
Verb (て-form) + いる + 始末だ
7
This pattern emphasizes an ongoing state or condition as the pathetic result. The problem isn't just a single action, but a continuous situation.
8
彼は一日中ゲームばかりして、部屋に引きこもっている始末だ ({かれ}は{いちにちじゅう}ゲームばかりして、{へや}に{ひ}きこもっている{しまつ}だ - He does nothing but play games all day and has ended up as a shut-in in his room).
9
Verb (ない-form) + 始末だ
10
Use this when the regrettable outcome is the failure to perform an action.
11
何度も注意したのに、彼は宿題をやってこない始末だ ({なんど}も{ちゅうい}したのに、{かれ}は{しゅくだい}をやってこない{しまつ}だ - Although I warned him many times, he ended up not doing his homework).
12
Noun + という + 始末だ
13
When the outcome is best described by a noun, という is required to equate the noun with the concept of 始末.
14
無謀な計画が原因で、プロジェクトは全面中止という始末だった ({むぼう}な{けいかく}が{げんいん}で、プロジェクトは{ぜんめんちゅうし}という{しまつ}だった - Due to the reckless plan, the project ended up in a state of complete cancellation).
15
Demonstrative (この/その/あの) + 始末だ
16
These are used as standalone expressions to point at a mess. この for a situation right here, その for one known to the listener, and あの for a more distant or infamous one.
17
(散らかった部屋を見て) おい、この始末は何だ？ ({ちら}かった{へや}を{み}て) おい、この{しまつ}は{なん}だ？ - (Looking at a messy room) Hey, what is this mess?)
18
| Form Type | Pattern | Example Sentence (Casual) | Translation | Notes |
19
| :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
20
| Verb (Dict.) | Vる + 始末だ | また寝坊して遅刻する始末だ | Ended up oversleeping and being late again. | The final action is the focus. |
21
| Verb (State) | Vている + 始末だ | 道に迷って泣いている始末だ | Ended up lost and crying. | The ongoing state is the focus. |
22
| Verb (Negative) | Vない + 始末だ | 結局何も決められない始matだ | In the end, ended up unable to decide anything. | The lack of action is the focus. |
23
| Noun | N + という + 始末だ | 結果は火事という始末だった | The result was the pathetic state of a fire. | という is mandatory. |
24
| Demonstrative | この/その/あの + 始末だ | 見てよ、あの始末を。 | Just look at that mess. | Points to a situation directly. |

When To Use It

Because ~始末だ is a tool for expressing judgment, knowing when to use it is key to sounding natural and conveying the right level of C1 nuance.
  1. 1To Express Strong Disapproval or Criticism
This is its primary function. Use it when you are fed up with a situation and want to highlight the foolishness that led to the bad outcome. It's perfect for complaining or venting.
  • 彼は会社の金を使い込み、ついにはクビになる始末だ ({かれ}は{かいしゃ}の{かね}を{つかいこ}み、ついにはクビになる{しまつ}だ - He embezzled company money and finally ended up getting fired).
  1. 1To Emphasize a Downward Spiral
The pattern excels at concluding a story of decline. It implies a history of negative events or choices that have accumulated, leading to a rock-bottom state.
  • 最初は小さな嘘だったのに、次々と嘘を重ね、誰にも信じてもらえない始末だ ({さいしょ}は{ちい}さな{うそ}だったのに、{つぎつぎ}と{うそ}を{かさ}ね、{だれ}にも{しん}じてもらえない{しまつ}だ - It started as a small lie, but he kept piling on more, and now he's ended up in a state where nobody believes him).
  1. 1For Self-Deprecation and Regret
You can turn this critical lens on yourself. Using ~始末だ for your own actions shows you recognize your own foolishness, often with a tone of wry, self-mocking humor.
  • ダイエット中なのに、深夜にラーメンを食べてしまう始末だ (ダイエット{ちゅう}なのに、{しんや}にラーメンを{た}べてしまう{しまつ}だ - Even though I'm on a diet, I ended up eating ramen late at night).
  1. 1For Social and Political Commentary
In newspapers or online forums, ~始末だ is often used to express public dismay at the failures of companies, politicians, or society at large.
  • 政府は対策を先送りし続け、経済が悪化する一方という始末だ ({せいふ}は{たいさく}を{さきおく}りし{つづ}け、{けいざい}が{あっか}する{いっぽう}という{しまつ}だ - The government kept postponing measures, resulting in the pathetic state of the economy only getting worse).

Common Mistakes

Mastering ~始末だ means avoiding several key traps. These errors are common because they violate the core logic of the pattern.
  1. 1Using it for Positive or Neutral Outcomes: This is the biggest mistake. ~始末だ is exclusively for negative, regrettable outcomes. It can never describe something good.
  • Incorrect: 一生懸命勉強して、試験に合格する始末だった。 (This sounds like passing the exam was a pathetic outcome.)
  • Correct: 一生懸命勉強した結果、試験に合格した。 (As a result of studying hard, I passed the exam.)
  1. 1Applying it to Sudden, Blameless Events: The pattern requires a preceding process of decline or negligence. It is not for random accidents or misfortunes where no one is at fault.
  • Incorrect: 道を歩いていたら、鳥のフンが落ちてくる始末だ。 (A bird dropping is unfortunate, but not a 始末 because it wasn't caused by a foreseeable negative process.)
  • Correct: 何度も車の整備を怠り、とうとう高速道路で故障する始末だ。 (I repeatedly neglected car maintenance and ended up with the car breaking down on the highway.)
  1. 1Using it Without Implied Negative Context: The pattern feels weak or confusing if there isn't an explicit or implicit reason for the decline. The context of why it's a pathetic outcome is essential.
  • Weak: 彼は家に帰らない始末だ。 (He ended up not going home. Why is this pathetic?)
  • Strong: 親と大喧嘩して家を飛び出し、何日も家に帰らない始末だ。 (He had a huge fight with his parents, stormed out, and has ended up not coming home for days.)
  1. 1Using the Wrong Particle with Nouns: Remember, nouns must be connected with という. You cannot attach 始末だ directly.
  • Incorrect: 彼の事業は失敗始末だ。
  • Correct: 彼の事業は失敗という始末だ。 (His business ended in the pathetic state of failure.)
  1. 1Confusing Politeness (です) with Softness: Attaching です makes the sentence grammatically polite but does not soften the criticism. Using ~始末です to describe a superior's mistake would be extremely rude and insubordinate.
  • 部長の判断ミスで、大きな損失が出た始末です。 (This is grammatically polite but career-endingly critical if said to anyone but a trusted peer.)

Real Conversations

Here’s how ~始末だ appears in modern, natural Japanese, from casual chats to online commentary.

S

Scenario 1

Friends complaining about a third friend.
A

A

健太、また約束すっぽかしたんだって？ ({けんた}、また{やくそく}すっぽかしたんだって？ - Heard Kenta bailed on his promise again?)
B

B

うん。こっちが１時間も待ったのに、連絡ひとつよこさない始末だよ。もう信用できないね。 (Yeah. Even though I waited for an hour, he ended up not even sending a single message. Can't trust him anymore.)
S

Scenario 2

Self-deprecation on social media.
P

Post

新しいiPhone買ったばかりなのに、もう落として画面を割ってしまう始末...。自分にあきれる。#ドジ (Just bought a new iPhone and I already ended up dropping it and cracking the screen... I'm appalled at myself. #clumsy)
S

Scenario 3

Colleagues discussing a failed project.
A

A

例のDXプロジェクト、結局どうなったんですか？ ({れい}のDXプロジェクト、{けっきょく}どうなったんですか？ - What ended up happening with that DX project?)
B

B

それが、誰もリーダーシップを取らないせいで計画が迷走し、最終的には予算オーバーで凍結という始末ですよ。 ({それ}が、{だれ}もリーダーシップを{と}らないせいで{けいかく}が{めいそう}し、{さいしゅうてき}には{よさん}オーバーで{とうけつ}という{しまつ}ですよ。 - Well, because no one took leadership, the plan went astray, and it ended in the miserable state of being frozen due to going over budget.)
S

Scenario 4

News commentary on a corporate scandal.

あの会社は不正が発覚した後も事実を隠蔽し続け、最終的に社長が辞任する始末となった。市場の信頼回復は絶望的だろう。 (That company continued to hide the facts even after the misconduct was revealed, and it culminated in the resignation of the CEO. Regaining market trust will likely be impossible.)

Quick FAQ

Q: What is the core difference between ~始末だ and ~あげく?

This is a crucial distinction. Both are used for negative results, but they focus on different parts of the story.

  • ~あげく (in the end, after all that): Focuses on the long, often difficult or futile process that preceded the bad outcome. It emphasizes the effort or time wasted. The structure is V-た + あげく、[Negative Result].
  • ３時間も議論したあげく、何も決まらなかった。 (After arguing for 3 long hours, we couldn't decide on anything.)
  • ~始末だ (ended up in this pathetic state): Focuses on the pathetic nature of the final result itself as a consequence of negligence or poor choices.
  • 誰も意見を言わないので、何も決められない始末だ。 (Because no one gives their opinion, we're in the pathetic state of being unable to decide anything.)
In short: ~あげく laments the journey; ~始末だ condemns the destination.
Q: How does it compare to a simple ~結果 (~result)?

結果 ({けっか}) is neutral. It simply states a cause-and-effect relationship. ~始末だ is subjective and judgmental. Compare:

  • Neutral: 彼は毎日練習した結果、選手に選ばれた。 (As a result of practicing every day, he was chosen for the team.)
  • Negative Judgment: 彼は毎日遊んでいた結果、試験に落ちる始末だ。 (This is grammatically possible, but ~始末だ is more natural here as it passes judgment more directly: 毎日遊んでばかりで、試験に落ちる始末だ.)
Q: Is ~始末だ always rude?

It is not inherently rude, but it is inherently critical. The rudeness depends on who you are criticizing and in what context. Criticizing yourself is fine. Criticizing a friend in a casual setting is normal. Criticizing a superior or a client, even with ~です, is almost always inappropriate because it passes negative judgment on their competence.

Q: Can ~始末だ be used for something that is not a person's fault?

Rarely. It's almost always tied to blame, negligence, or a series of poor choices. You could use it for a situation where a system or organization is failing, but even then, the implication is that the failure is due to poor design or management—a form of collective culpability. It would not be used for a natural disaster, for instance.

Q: What is the nuance of この/その/あの始末だ?

It follows the standard rules of Japanese demonstratives (こそあど言葉):

  • この始末だ: “This mess right here.” The speaker is pointing to a problem that is physically or psychologically immediate to both speaker and listener.
  • その始末だ: “That mess we know about.” Refers to a problem known to the listener, perhaps one they just mentioned or are responsible for.
  • あの始末だ: “That mess over there / That infamous mess.” Refers to a problem distant from both speaker and listener, or a well-known past incident. 去年のあの始末を忘れたのか (Did you forget that mess from last year?).

Formation Pattern

Preceding Element Connector Target Expression
Verb (Plain)
—
始末だ
Verb (Plain)
という
始末だ
Negative Verb
—
始末だ
Negative Verb
という
始末だ

Meanings

Describes a situation that has reached a negative, embarrassing, or pathetic conclusion after a series of events.

1

Regrettable outcome

Focuses on the final, disappointing result of a process.

“彼は{約束|やくそく}の{時間|じかん}に{遅|おく}れるどころか、{来|こ}ないという{始末|しまつ}だ。”

“ダイエットを{始|はじ}めたのに、{夜中|よなか}に{食|た}べるという{始末|しまつ}だ。”

Reference Table

Reference table for Ending up in a Pathetic State (~始末だ)
Form Structure Example
Affirmative
Verb + 始末だ
遅刻する始末だ
Emphasis
Verb + という + 始末だ
遅刻するという始末だ
Negative
Verb-nai + 始末だ
勉強しない始末だ
Past Context
Verb-ta + 始末だ
（Rarely used, usually dictionary form）
Contrastive
～どころか + 始末だ
謝るどころか怒る始末だ

Formality Spectrum

Formal
彼は勉強もしないという始末です。

彼は勉強もしないという始末です。 (Describing a student's failure.)

Neutral
彼は勉強もしないという始末だ。

彼は勉強もしないという始末だ。 (Describing a student's failure.)

Informal
勉強もしない始末だよ。

勉強もしない始末だよ。 (Describing a student's failure.)

Slang
勉強もしない始末だわ。

勉強もしない始末だわ。 (Describing a student's failure.)

The Path to 'Shimatsu'

始末だ

Causes

  • 怠慢 Negligence
  • 失敗 Failure

Result

  • 恥ずかしい Embarrassing
  • 残念 Regrettable
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Examples by Level

1

彼は{勉強|べんきょう}しない{始末|しまつ}だ。

He ended up not studying.

2

店が{閉|し}まるという{始末|しまつ}だ。

The shop ended up closing.

3

雨が{降|ふ}るという{始末|しまつ}だ。

It ended up raining.

4

{遅刻|ちこく}する{始末|しまつ}だ。

He ended up being late.

1

{約束|やくそく}を{忘|わす}れるという{始末|しまつ}だ。

He ended up forgetting the promise.

2

{料理|りょうり}を{焦|こ}がすという{始末|しまつ}だ。

I ended up burning the food.

3

{電車|でんしゃ}に{乗|の}れないという{始末|しまつ}だ。

I ended up not being able to board the train.

4

{金|かね}を{使|つか}い{果|は}たすという{始末|しまつ}だ。

He ended up spending all his money.

1

{会議|かいぎ}で{寝|ね}るという{始末|しまつ}だ。

He ended up sleeping during the meeting.

2

{謝罪|しゃざい}もしないという{始末|しまつ}だ。

He didn't even apologize.

3

{計画|けいかく}が{失敗|しっぱい}するという{始末|しまつ}だ。

The plan ended up failing.

4

{嘘|うそ}を{付|つ}くという{始末|しまつ}だ。

He ended up telling a lie.

1

{責任|せきにん}を{逃|に}れるという{始末|しまつ}だ。

He ended up shirking his responsibilities.

2

{混乱|こんらん}を{招|まね}くという{始末|しまつ}だ。

It ended up causing chaos.

3

{期待|きたい}を{裏切|うらぎ}るという{始末|しまつ}だ。

He ended up betraying expectations.

4

{無駄|むだ}に{時間|じかん}を{過|す}ごすという{始末|しまつ}だ。

We ended up wasting time.

1

{根本的|こんぽんてき}な{解決|かいけつ}を{放棄|ほうき}するという{始末|しまつ}だ。

They ended up abandoning a fundamental solution.

2

{専門家|せんもんか}が{ミス|みす}を{犯|おか}すという{始末|しまつ}だ。

Even the experts ended up making mistakes.

3

{信頼|しんらい}を{失|うしな}うという{始末|しまつ}だ。

He ended up losing all trust.

4

{事態|じたい}を{悪化|あっか}させるという{始末|しまつ}だ。

They ended up worsening the situation.

1

{組織|そしき}の{腐敗|ふはい}を{露呈|ろてい}させるという{始末|しまつ}だ。

They ended up exposing the corruption of the organization.

2

{倫理|りんり}を{欠|か}く{行動|こうどう}に{及|およ}ぶという{始末|しまつ}だ。

They ended up resorting to unethical behavior.

3

{歴史|れきし}の{教訓|きょうくん}を{忘|わす}れるという{始末|しまつ}だ。

They ended up forgetting the lessons of history.

4

{本来|ほんらい}の{目的|もくてき}を{見失|みうしな}うという{始末|しまつ}だ。

They ended up losing sight of their original goal.

Easily Confused

Ending up in a Pathetic State (~始末だ) vs ～あげく

Both describe negative outcomes.

Common Mistakes

✗

合格する始末だ

✓

不合格になる始末だ

It cannot be used for positive results.
✗

食べた始末だ

✓

食べる始末だ

Must use dictionary form.
✗

嬉しい始末だ

✓

残念な始末だ

It is only for negative emotions.
✗

始末です

✓

始末だ

Usually used in plain form.
✗

雨が降った始末だ

✓

雨が降るという始末だ

Needs 'to iu' for better flow.
✗

始末だね

✓

始末だ

It's a strong statement, not a question.
✗

彼が始末だ

✓

彼が～という始末だ

It describes the situation, not the person.
✗

成功した始末だ

✓

失敗した始末だ

Again, negative only.
✗

始末だと言った

✓

～という始末だと言った

Needs the preceding clause.
✗

始末だのようだ

✓

始末だ

It is a direct statement.
✗

始末だという

✓

～という始末だ

Word order.
✗

始末だの事実

✓

始末という事実

Grammar structure.
✗

始末だの代わりに

✓

始末だ

It is a final predicate.
✗

始末だを避ける

✓

始末だという状況を避ける

Cannot be used as a direct object.

Sentence Patterns

___という始末だ。

Real World Usage

Social Media common

結局、何も解決しないという始末だ。

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⚠️

Don't use for yourself

It sounds very self-deprecating. Only use it for others if you want to be critical.

Smart Tips

Use 'to iu' to add weight.

彼は失敗する始末だ。 → 彼は失敗するという始末だ。

Pronunciation

to-iu-shimatsu-da

Emphasis

The 'to iu' part is often spoken with a slight pause for dramatic effect.

Falling

始末だ↓

Conveys resignation or finality.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Shimatsu' as 'She-messed-up'. If you 'she-messed-up', you end up in a pathetic state.

Visual Association

Imagine a person trying to build a house of cards, but they sneeze and it collapses. The final pile of cards is the 'shimatsu'.

Rhyme

When things go bad and you feel sad, it's the shimatsu state you've had.

Story

Kenji promised to finish his report. Instead, he played games all night. When the boss asked for it, he said he hadn't started. The boss sighed, 'He didn't even start, that's the shimatsu.'

Word Web

残念失敗恥ずかしい結末情けない

Challenge

Write three sentences today about a minor annoyance using '～という始末だ'.

Cultural Notes

Used to express deep frustration with a subordinate's failure without being overly aggressive.

Derived from 'shimatsu' meaning 'disposal' or 'management'.

Conversation Starters

“

最近、何か残念なことはありましたか？

Journal Prompts

Describe a time you failed at a task.

Common Mistakes

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

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Test Yourself

Fill in the blank.

彼は約束を破るという___だ。

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 始末
The grammar is 始末だ.

Score: /1

Practice Exercises

1 exercises
Fill in the blank.

彼は約束を破るという___だ。

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 始末
The grammar is 始末だ.

Score: /1

Practice Bank

10 exercises
Fill in the blank. Fill in the Blank

スマホゲームに課金しすぎて、貯金がゼロに_____始末だ。

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: なる
Select the correct way to fix this sentence. Error Correction

宝くじに当たって、大金持ちになる始末だ。

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 大金持ちになった結果だ
Reorder the words to make a correct sentence. Sentence Reorder

Reorder: 飲んで / 始末だ / 道で / お酒を / 寝ている / ついに

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: お酒を飲んでついに道で寝ている始末だ
Choose the best translation. Translation

親のお金を盗んで、ついに家を追い出される始末だ。

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: He stole his parents' money, and it came to the point where he was kicked out of the house.
Which demonstrative fits best? Multiple Choice

散々サボった結果、プロジェクトは失敗し、_____始末だ。

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: この
Match the sentence halves. Match Pairs

Match the cause with the pathetic result:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: A -> D, B -> C
Fill in the missing form. Fill in the Blank

彼は怒って、誰の意見も_____始末だ。

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 聞かない
Is this sentence Natural or Unnatural? Multiple Choice

「テストの点数が悪くて、泣いている始末だ。」

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Natural
Fix the verb form. Error Correction

彼は会社を辞めた始末だ。

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 辞める始末だ
Reorder the words to make a correct sentence. Sentence Reorder

Reorder: 始末だ / という / 裁判に / なる

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 裁判になるという始末だ

Score: /10

FAQ (1)

Yes, but only if you are being very self-deprecating.

Scaffolded Practice

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In Other Languages

Spanish partial

terminar en...

Lack of inherent judgment.

French partial

finir par...

Neutrality.

German partial

enden als...

Social weight.

Japanese high

～という始末だ

None.

Arabic partial

انتهى الأمر بـ...

Descriptive vs. Evaluative.

Chinese high

落得个...下场

Very similar in nuance.

Learning Path

Prerequisites

Previous
Uunavoidable Settlement: Must Do (~ずにはすまない)
Next
Listing Complaints: ~だの~だの (Da no... da no)

Related Grammar Rules

C1

The Extreme Emphasis Pattern: ~極まる / ~極まりない (Kiwamaru / Kiwamarinai)

Overview At the advanced stages of Japanese, expressing simple intensity with words like `とても` (totemo) or `非常に`...
A2

Expressing Desire: "I want to..." (～tai)

Overview Japanese offers nuanced ways to express personal desire. The suffix `~tai` (～たい) is fundamental for articula...
B2

Uncontrollable Feelings: ~てならない (~te naranai)

Overview Japanese grammar provides a rich toolkit for expressing internal states, and `~てならない` (`~te naranai`) is...
A2

Before Doing X (Mae ni)

Overview In Japanese, establishing a clear sequence of events is fundamental to communication. The grammatical pattern...
C1

Literary Similes: Like & As If (~gotoku / ~gotoki)

Overview Japanese offers several ways to express similes, but few carry the profound literary weight and stylistic versa...
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