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Ended up not doing; never got to do
Definition
The grammar pattern "V-ない形 (stem) + ずじまいだ (する -> せずじまいだ)" is used to express that something the speaker intended or wanted to do was never realized, often with a feeling of regret. It is used for actions that missed their opportunity and are now in the past. This pattern emphasizes the speaker's past intention or desire, which was not fulfilled due to circumstances or lack of opportunity.
Structure
| Form | Pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|
| V-ない形 (stem) | V-ない形 (stem) + ずじまいだ (する -> せずじまいだ) | 読む (read) -> 読まいだ (read) -> 読めずじまいだ (ended up not reading) |
| V-ない形 (stem) | V-ない形 (stem) + ずじまいだ (する -> せずじまいだ) | 行く (go) -> 行かなかった (did not go) -> 行けずじまいだ (ended up not going) |
| V-ない形 (stem) | V-ない形 (stem) + ずじまいだ (する -> せずじまいだ) | 見る (see) -> 見なかった (did not see) -> 見ずじまいだ (ended up not seeing) |
Examples
ずっと読みたかった本だが、結局忙しくて一度も読めずじまいだ。
zutto yomita katta hon da ga, matsugo isogashikute ichido mo yomezu jima i da.
I really wanted to read that book, but I was too busy and ended up not reading it.
ずっと読みたかった (really wanted to read) + 結局忙しくて (but was too busy) + 一度も (not even once) + 読めずじまいだ (ended up not reading)
留学中に北海道へ行きたかったが、お金がなくて帰国し、北海道へ行けずじまいだ。
ryugaku ni teki ni hokkaidou e ikita katta ga, okane ga naku te kikoku shi, hokkaidou e ikkezu jima i da.
I wanted to go to Hokkaido during my study abroad, but I didn't have enough money, so I returned home and ended up not going to Hokkaido.
留学中に (during my study abroad) + 北海道へ行きたかった (wanted to go to Hokkaido) + お金がなくて (but didn't have enough money) + 帰国し (returned home) + 北海道へ行けずじまいだ (ended up not going to Hokkaido)
彼に本当の気持ちを伝えようと思っていたが、チャンスを逃して本当の気持ちを伝えずじまいだ。
kare ni hontou no kimochi o tsutaou to omotta katta ga, chansu o naku te hontou no kimochi o tsutaouzu jima i da.
I thought about telling him my true feelings, but I missed the chance and ended up not telling him my true feelings.
彼に (to him) + 本当の気持ちを (my true feelings) + 伝えようと思っていた (thought about telling) + チャンスを逃して (but missed the chance) + 本当の気持ちを伝えずじまいだ (ended up not telling my true feelings)
Context
This pattern is used to express regret or disappointment about not being able to do something. It is often used in situations where the speaker had a chance to do something but missed it. The pattern can be used in formal or informal situations, but it is more commonly used in formal situations.
Watch out
This pattern emphasizes the speaker's past intention or desire, so it should only be used with actions that had a prior intention or desire.
The simple past negative (nakatta) is used to express that something did not happen, whereas this pattern is used to express that something the speaker intended or wanted to do was never realized.
The correct formation is V-ない形 (stem) + ずじまいだ (する -> せずじまいだ), not shizujimai.
Strategy
When using this pattern on the JLPT exam, make sure to use the correct formation and emphasize the speaker's past intention or desire. Also, be careful not to confuse this pattern with the simple past negative (nakatta).
In context
Worked examples drawn from JLPT N2 test-style questions. Each sentence shows V-ない形 (stem) + ずじまいだ (する -> せずじまいだ) used correctly, with a brief note on what the pattern is doing.
ずっと読みたかった本だが、結局忙しくて一度も 読まずじまいだ。
Pattern used: 読まずじまいだ
'V-zujimai da' expresses the regretful outcome of not doing something intended.
留学中に北海道へ行きたかったが、お金がなくて 行かずじまいで 帰国した。
Pattern used: 行かずじまいで
While 'nai mama' is similar, 'zujimai' emphasizes the missed opportunity and regret.
彼に本当の気持ちを伝えようと思っていたが、チャンスを逃して 言わずじまいだった。
Pattern used: 言わずじまいだった
'Zujimai datta' is appropriate here because the opportunity has passed.
Interactive
ずっと読みたかった本だが、結局忙しくて一度も ______。
Adaptive practice
Our adaptive engine will quiz you on this grammar pattern and track your progress toward mastery.