~てしまう both as "regretter" and "terminator" ?

Asked 3 years ago

In the lesson "Don't cry over spilled milk" there is the follwing sentence:


When I use the "regretter" meaning of ~しまいました  to translate  this sentence it would mean something like:

The teacher got angry (which I regret).

But when I use the "terminator" meaning of ~しまいました it could also be translated as:

The teacher finished being agry.

The first translation seems more likely but the second also seems a plausible translation.

So now, finally, comes my question: Does the meaning of this sentence depend on the context of the story in which it is told or did I miss something?


Know someone who might be able to answer this question?

2 Answers


I am also curious about answer , because i've had the same question when i read that lesson. Yes, there are sentences where both meanings can be plausible. From what i understood, meaning should be evident from context, as you mentioned.

Answered 3 years ago


< Te-form (verb)> + 〜しまう can express 1 ) your regret for something you have done, or 2) actions someone or you completely have done. 

For example,

1 )  先生をおこらせてしまいました = I made the teacher angry (which I regret),

2)  先生はおこってしまいました = The teacher completely got angry. 

Can you see the difference?

Answered 3 years ago

I think I can see the difference. Thank you !

Commented 3 years ago