済ます|すますsumasu[2]nakadaka (mid-high)
This browser can't play pronunciations (needs Safari 18.4 or later, or Chrome / Edge / Firefox).
Definitions
- godan verb, transitive verbto finish; to get it over with; to conclude７時までに彼女は夕食を済ましてしまっているだろう。↗By 7:00 she will have eaten dinner.
- godan verb, transitive verbto settle; to pay back
- godan verb, transitive verbto get along (without something); to make do with (without)often with で
Conjugation
| Dictionary form | 済ます（すます） |
|---|---|
| Polite (masu) | 済まします（すまします） |
| Negative (nai) | 済まさない（すまさない） |
| polite (masen) | 済ましません（すましません） |
| classical zu / nu | 済まさず・済まさぬ（すまさず・すまさぬ） |
| Past (ta) | 済ました（すました） |
| polite (mashita) | 済ましました（すましました） |
| Past negative (nakatta) | 済まさなかった（すまさなかった） |
| polite (masen deshita) | 済ましませんでした（すましませんでした） |
| Te form | 済まして（すまして） |
| Potential | 済ませる（すませる） |
| Passive | 済まされる（すまされる） |
| Causative | 済まさせる（すまさせる） |
| Causative passive | 済まさせられる（すまさせられる） |
| Conditional (ba) | 済ませば（すませば） |
| tara | 済ましたら（すましたら） |
| Volitional | 済まそう（すまそう） |
| polite (mashou) | 済ましましょう（すましましょう） |
| Imperative | 済ませ（すませ） |
Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.
Transitive / intransitive pair
用事を済ます
済む presents the completion of a matter as something that happens or comes to an end, while 済ます focuses on a person actively bringing it to an end.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Synonyms & antonyms
- Synonym終えるおえるNeutralA neutral word for finishing or bringing something to an end, as in 「仕事を終える」. 「済ます」 adds senses of settling a matter or making do without something.
- Synonym済ませるすませるNeutralSame meaning as 「済ます」 with virtually identical usage; both forms are common and freely interchangeable.
- Synonymし終えるしおえるNeutralMeans to finish doing something, completing an action or task. 「済ます」 goes further, also covering making do without something and settling or paying off.
- Synonym了するりょうするWrittenWritten and formal, meaning to complete or to understand. In everyday speech, use 「済ます」 or 「終える」 instead.
- RelatedしまうNeutralCovers putting things away and closing a business; 「〜てしまう」 separately marks an action as completed. 「済ます」 focuses on getting a matter done and settled.
- Related仕上げるしあげるNeutralTo finish with care, adding the final touches, as in 「作品を仕上げる」. 「済ます」 only means getting something done and out of the way.
- RelatedフィニッシュNeutralA loanword for the finish or end of something, including a gymnastics landing. 「済ます」 is about getting a matter done and settled.
- Relatedなし終えるなしおえるWrittenA written word for accomplishing or completing something. 「済ます」 is the more colloquial choice.
- Antonym滞るとどこおるNeutralThe opposite of 「済ます」 in terms of completion versus delay: things stall, or a payment falls into arrears.
- Antonym未済みさいWrittenThe opposite of 「済ます」 in terms of completion: it means not yet settled or concluded, especially unpaid.
Use 「済ます」 for getting a matter done, settling or paying it, or making do without something, as in 「昼食を軽く済ます」. 「済ませる」 is interchangeable. For simply finishing, use 「終える」; for careful, polished completion, 「仕上げる」. Antonyms: 「滞る」, 「未済」.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese definitions
Kanji in this word
English equivalents
See also
