ずじまい
Ended up not, Did not (in the end), Never did
Structure
Explanation
The grammar pattern ずじまい is formed from ず, a classical negative marker meaning 'not', and じまい, which comes from the verb しまう ('to finish, to end up'). Much like しまう, this expression conveys a sense of finality, often with a hint of regret. With ずじまい, however, the regret is specifically directed at something that was intended or supposed to happen, but ultimately did not.
This structure attaches to the indeterminate form (A-stem) of a verb. It can be translated as 'ended up not (A)' or 'in the end, never did (A)'.
- 旅行の計画を立てたが、結局どこへも行かずじまいだった。I made travel plans, but ended up not going anywhere in the end.
- ずっと読みたいと思っていた本があったのに、忙しくて読まずじまいだった。I had a book I'd wanted to read for a long time, but I was so busy I ended up never reading it.
- 友達からCDを借りたのに、一度も聞かずじまいで返してしまった。Even though I borrowed a CD from my friend, I ended up returning it without listening to it even once.
It is common to see ずじまい followed by だった or でした to emphasize that the non-occurrence of an action is a concluded event from the past, often contrary to one's initial plans or hopes.
Caution
Remember that when using this grammar with the verb する, it becomes its special negative form, せず.
- 彼に大事なことを連絡せずじまいで、出張に行ってしまった。I ended up going on my business trip without contacting him about that important matter.
Examples
Ａ：「この前貸した本、どうだった？」
Ｂ：「ごめん、忙しくて読まずじまいだったんだ。」
A: 'How was that book I lent you the other day?'
B: 'Sorry, I got busy and never got around to reading it.'
「北海道旅行を楽しみにしていたのに、台風が来て行けずじまいに終わった。」
'I was so looking forward to my trip to Hokkaido, but a typhoon came, and I ended up not being able to go.'
「喧嘩したまま引っ越してしまった友達に、謝らずじまいになっている。」
'I ended up not apologizing to my friend who moved away while we were still in a fight.'
「せっかく有名なラーメン屋に行ったのに、行列がすごすぎて食べずじまいで帰ってきた。」
'I went all the way to that famous ramen shop, but the line was so long that I came back without ever getting to eat there.'
「彼は何か言いたそうだったが、結局何も言わずじまいで去ってしまった。」
'He looked like he wanted to say something, but in the end, he left without saying anything.'
「今日こそ机の上を片付けようと思っていたが、結局掃除せずじまいだった。」
'I was planning on tidying up my desk today for sure, but in the end I never got around to cleaning it.'
好きな人に気持ちを伝えられずじまいで、卒業してしまった。
I ended up not being able to confess my feelings to the person I like before we graduated.
京都にいた時、祇園祭があったのに病気で見ずじまいでした。
Even though the Gion Festival was happening when I was in Kyoto, I was sick and ended up not seeing it.
学生の頃にギターを買ったが、一度も練習せず、弾けずじまいだった。
I bought a guitar when I was a student, but I never once practiced and never learned how to play.
プレゼンの後で質問したかったのですが、時間がなくて聞けずじまいでした。
I wanted to ask a question after the presentation, but there wasn't enough time, so I never got the chance to.
祖母が亡くなる前に、もっと昔の話を聞かずじまいだったことを悔やんでいる。
I regret that I never got to hear more of my grandmother's stories from the old days before she passed away.
せっかく映画のチケットをもらったのに、忙しくて見にいけずじまいだった。
I received movie tickets as a gift, but I was so busy that I ended up not being able to go see the movie.
週末に両親に電話するつもりだったが、うっかり忘れてかけずじまいだった。
I intended to call my parents over the weekend, but I completely forgot and never got around to it.