始末

しまつ
Alternative writings: 仕末
JLPT:N1
Frequency:
1

The act of dealing with, managing, or disposing of something; cleanup or settlement (often used as 始末する “to deal with/clean up”).

NounIrregular Verb

Examples

料理の後は自分で鍋の始末をしてください。

Please clean up the pots yourself after cooking.

事故現場の始末は警察と消防が行った。

The cleanup/settlement of the accident scene was handled by the police and fire department.

ゴミの始末は各自の責任です。

Disposing of trash is each person's responsibility.

2

The course of events, circumstances, or particulars of how something unfolded.

Noun

Examples

事件の始末を詳しく説明してください。

Please explain the particulars/circumstances of the incident in detail.

彼から聞いた始末によると、約束がすれ違いになったらしい。

According to what I heard from him about the circumstances, the appointment seems to have been missed.

その件の始末がまだついていない。

The matter's particulars/settlement are not yet resolved.

3

An end result or outcome (usually a bad one); the final consequence of a situation.

Noun

Examples

借金の始末がつかなくなってしまった。

The debts have become unmanageable.

放っておいたら、とうとう悲しい始末になった。

If left alone, it finally ended up sadly.

無責任な対応の始末は最悪だった。

The outcome of the irresponsible response was terrible.

4

Economizing or frugality—managing resources carefully to avoid waste (somewhat literary/old-fashioned usage).

NounIrregular VerbNa-Adjective

Examples

収入が少ないので、始末上手に暮らしている。

With a small income, she lives frugally and is good at managing.

古い家具も上手に始末して使い続けた。

He made do with the old furniture and continued to use it carefully.