Structure
Verb[ない] + ずには + すまない
Verb[ない] + では + すまない
Exception:
する→せずにはすまない
Details
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Formal
使用域
硬い
About ずにはすまない
ずにはすまない is used to indicate that one ‘has no choice but to (A)’, or ‘won’t get away without doing (A)’. It is a formal expression that is a combination of the negative classical auxiliary verb, ず, the case-marking particle に, the adverbial particle は, and the standard negated form of the う-Verb 済む ‘to come to pass’, or ‘to finish’. Due to this, the more literal translation is ‘it will not come to pass that (A) is not done’, with the more natural English interpretations conveying the same feeling.
As we can assume by this expression beginning with ず, it will exclusively follow verbs.
As we can assume by this expression beginning with ず, it will exclusively follow verbs.
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あんなに迷惑をかけてしまったんだから、謝らずにはすまないだろう。I caused so much trouble, so I won’t get away without apologizing.
- 取引先のお偉いさんに飲みに誘われたから、行かずにはすまない。A high-ranking business partner invited me out for a drink, so I have no choice but to go.
- 会社の先輩からの電話は出ずにはすまない。I have no choice but to answer phone calls from my senpai from work.
-
やばい、田中君のゲーム機を壊してしまった。これは、弁償せずにはすまないな。Oh shoot, I broke Tanaka-kun’s gaming console. I won't get away without paying him back.
-
父が大切にしていた釣竿を折ってしまった。謝らないではすまない。I accidentally broke a fishing rod my father took great care of. I won’t get away without apologizing.
- 税金は払わないではすまない。You can’t get away without paying taxes.
Caution
This construction will tend to sound unnatural in cases where the speaker only considers (A) to be something that is necessary based on their personal feelings. (A) is usually something that would be the expected course of action according to anyone.Examples
重要な会議だから、間に合わないではすまない。
It's an important meeting, so I won't get away without making it on time.
彼は相談もなく重要な道具を廃棄した。首にならずにはすまないだろう。
He has scrapped an important tool without consultation. He won't get off without being fired.
私は子犬を助けるためとはいえ、無断で車の窓を破った。罰を受けずにはすまないだろう。
I broke the window of the car without permission, even though I was trying to save a puppy. I won't get away unpunished.
この深刻な問題は難しいので、上司に話さずにはすまないだろう。
I have no choice but to talk to my boss about it, since it is a serious problem.
大人なのだから、知らないではすまないだろう。
Since you are an adult, you won't get by without knowing it.
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