GRAMMAR DETAIL
始末だ
Criticizes a series of bad actions that ultimately led to an even worse result.
Examples
約束を忘れたうえ、連絡まで怠る始末だ。
They forgot the promise and even went so far as to neglect contacting anyone.
Words used
何度連絡しても、彼は返事さえしない始末だ。
No matter how many times I contact him, he has reached the point where he will not even reply.
Words used
彼は借金を重ね、ついには家まで失う始末だ。
He kept accumulating debt and ultimately even lost his home.
Words used
Study notes
1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning
- Structure: Follow a plain-form verb describing an unwelcome outcome with
始末だto criticize matters as having reached that point.始末is readしまつ. - Basic usage:
何度連絡しても、彼は返事さえしない始末だ。disapprovingly describes a situation in which he will not even reply despite repeated contact.
2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions
- Affirmative and negative forms
怠る始末だuses an affirmative form, while返事さえしない始末だuses a negative form. Since怠るalso means failing to do something required, the distinction concerns verb form rather than action versus inaction.
- Evaluation compared with 結果
家を失うという結果になったstates the outcome of losing a home.家まで失う始末だadds a critical assessment that things have deteriorated to that point.