〜だけではすまない (~dake de wa sumanai) — ~ alone won't settle it
The mistake or trouble is so big that doing just that won't end it — the consequences will go further.
Formula (सूत्र ढाँचा)
Grammar rule (व्याकरण नियम र परिभाषा)
When to use it
- At work you broke a customer's expensive item.
- Your senior says: 「謝るだけではすまないよ」— an apology alone won't end this; you may have to pay for it too.
Meaning
- 「〜だけではすまない」= the problem is so big that a light response like ~ will not settle it; the consequences will be heavier — a warning.
- 「すむ」(済む) means 'to be over, settled', so 「すまない」= 'it won't end there'.
How to attach
- After a verb in the dictionary form (謝るだけではすまない) or a noun (罰金だけではすまない)
- Without 「だけ」, 「〜ではすまない」is also heard (冗談ではすまない), and in speech 「じゃすまない」
- Often with 「〜だろう」or 「〜なくなる」: 注意だけではすまなくなる
Versus what you know
N3「〜だけでなく」(not only ~ but also) lists points, good or bad (安いだけでなく、おいしい); 「だけではすまない」says 'that won't be enough, something bigger is coming'.
Watch out
It is only about the consequences of something bad — a mistake, a crime, an accident — never for adding good points.
Examples (उदाहरणहरू)
お客様の大切な品物を壊したのだから、謝るだけではすまない。
おきゃくさまのたいせつなしなものをこわしたのだから、あやまるだけではすまない。
Since we broke the customer's valuable item, an apology alone won't settle it.
How it is built (कसरी बन्यो) First the big mistake: 品物を壊した = broke the item → 謝る = to apologize (dictionary form) → 「だけではすまない」 = an apology alone won't end it → the feeling that compensation is needed too.
飲酒運転で事故を起こせば、罰金だけではすまないだろう。
いんしゅうんてんでじこをおこせば、ばっきんだけではすまないだろう。
If you cause an accident while drunk-driving, a fine alone probably won't be the end of it.
How it is built (कसरी बन्यो) First the serious thing: 飲酒運転で事故 = an accident while drunk → 罰金 = a fine (N) → 「だけではすまない」 = a fine alone won't end it → 「だろう」 = probably (there could be prison too).
会社の情報を外に漏らしたら、注意されるだけではすまないよ。
かいしゃのじょうほうをそとにもらしたら、ちゅういされるだけではすまないよ。
If you leak company information, you won't get off with just a warning, you know.
How it is built (कसरी बन्यो) First the bad act: 情報を漏らしたら = if you leak information → 注意される = to be told off (dictionary form) → 「だけではすまない」 = it won't end there (you could even lose your job) → 「よ」 = a warning to a friend.
Knowledge check (मिनी ज्ञान जाँच)
「人にけがをさせたのだから、謝る＿＿＿すまない。」— fill the blank.
💡 Hint: 'With just ~' — which form?
V-dictionary + だけではすまない. 謝るだけではすまない = an apology alone won't settle it.
In which sentence is 「だけではすまない」unnatural?
💡 Hint: Is it about the consequences of a mistake or wrongdoing?
だけではすまない only says the consequences of something bad 'won't stop there'. Winning after hard practice is not wrongdoing.
'This shop isn't only cheap, the food tastes good too' — which is natural?
💡 Hint: Adding up good points, or warning about consequences?
To add good points, use 「だけでなく」. 「だけではすまない」is only a warning that the consequences of a mistake will be bigger.
Your score: /3