JLPT N1
ずじまい
End up not doing
Structure
Verb ない-stem ずじまい
How it works
This expression is used to indicate that someone intended or planned to do something, but the opportunity passed and they ended up not doing it. It often carries a nuance of regret, disappointment, or a feeling that it's now too late to act. Grammatically, it functions as a noun, often followed by だ, で, or particles like だが.
Examples
留学中に現地の友達をたくさん作ろうと思っていたが、結局一人もできずじまいだった。
I intended to make many local friends while studying abroad, but in the end, I didn't make a single one.
ずっと読みたかった本を買ったものの、忙しくて結局読まずじまいで棚に眠っている。
I bought a book I'd wanted to read for a long time, but I've been busy and it's ended up unread, sitting on the shelf.
せっかく京都に行ったのに、雨がひどくて金閣寺を見ずじまいで帰ってきた。
Even though I went all the way to Kyoto, it rained so hard that I returned without seeing Kinkaku-ji temple.
Common mistakes
Do not use 'ずじまい' for things that were never intended or planned; it must involve an action that the speaker expected or wanted to happen but failed to execute.
Tip
Think of 'ずじまい' as 'the end (shimai) of the situation without (zu) doing the action.' This helps remember both the grammar structure and the sense of finality/regret.
More JLPT N1 grammar
See ずじまい in real Japanese
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