56787
What's the correlation between 済む and すみません? 済む means to finish and I can't
see it a correlation between the two.
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2018-02-21T00:35:36.063
56772
2018-02-21T11:50:50.690
27223
question
translation kanji
すみません came from 済みません?
While there are some that would dismiss this as a false correlation, there is
a connection. According to jisho.org [すみません can also be written as
済みません,](http://jisho.org/word/%E6%B8%88%E3%81%BF%E3%81%BE%E3%81%9B%E3%82%93)
but there is an important note in the definition. It is usually written in
kana. Personally, before the research I had never seen it with
[kanji](http://jisho.org/search/%E6%B8%88%20%23kanji) before.

[済む](http://jisho.org/search/%E6%B8%88%20%E3%81%99%E3%82%80) has a variety of
meanings, one of which is `to finish` as you have noted. However, the fourth
definition, `to feel unease or guilt for troubling someone; to be sorry,` is
more connected in meaning to すみません (notice the subtext next to the definition
in the link).

It also turns out that the conjugation of 済む into すまない (usually written in
kana alone) [is also
related](http://jisho.org/search/%E6%B8%88%20%E3%81%99%E3%81%BE%E3%81%AA%E3%81%84)
to すみません. (See definition 3)

When it comes to すみません, it's _best not to overthink_ these connections. No
matter the connection, this set phrase will _always_ mean `excuse me; (I'm)
sorry` or `thank you` depending on context.
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2018-02-21T01:29:26.837
56775
2018-02-21T01:29:26.837
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answer
A better understanding of
[済む](https://dictionary.goo.ne.jp/jn/120156/meaning/m0u/) is _to be settled_
or _be cleared off_. Thus すみません represents the sentiment that one owes a
mental debt, something remain to be repaid. Here comes the meaning "I feel
guilty to you", or "I'm sorry".

FYI the negative of 済む as such has that lexical meaning besides this cliche.

> 彼には **済まない** ことをした  
>  = _I did something conscience-smitten to him_  
>  ≈ "I regret what I did to him"
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2018-02-21T11:50:50.690
56787
2018-02-21T11:50:50.690
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56772
answer