済む (mu)
to manage without doing something; to be settled or resolved with less than expected
Meaning & usage
済む follows a verb in the negative ない form (often ずに or ないで) to say that things are settled or finished without doing that action, i.e. the action can be avoided. It is common in both casual speech and set phrases like ごめんで済む.
Example sentences 8
-
トムは家事を手伝わずに済むことを望んでいる。
Tom wishes he didn't have to help with the housework.
-
「ごめん」「ごめんで済むと思ってんの！？」
"I'm sorry." "You think you can get away with it just by saying sorry!?"
-
誰の助けもかりないで済むものはいない。
Nobody can dispense with somebody's service.
-
せずに済むなら誰もこんなことはしない。
If it didn't need to be done, nobody would do this kind of thing.
-
気が済むまでやってみたら。
You should continue until you're satisfied.
-
ただで済むと思ってんのか。
You'd better not be thinking it's just gonna finish like this?!
-
あなたがただ手紙を書くだけで、あなたの父親は多くのことを心配しなくて済むだろう。
You will save your father a lot of worry if you simply write him a letter.
-
試験が済むまでは忙しくて暇がないだろうと思います。
I am afraid that I shall not be free till the examination is over.