Japanese grammar · ≈ JLPT N4 · Intermediate 2
〜てしまったようなんです~te shimatta you nan desu
inferred accident with regret
Use 〜てしまったようなんです to explain an unintended past result you infer from symptoms, with a regretful tone.
How it works
Your ankle hurts. Could you have twisted it? Infer what happened from the symptoms and explain your situation to someone.
The inference concerns something that has already happened. The past form in 「しまった」 refers to an earlier result.
A sprain or an injury from a bump was not intended. Here, 「てしまった」 conveys an accident and regret.
Clues such as pain suggest that you may be injured. 「よう」 expresses an inference, so it is not yet certain.
Your fingertip was caught in a door and is now red. From the symptoms you see, you infer that bleeding under the skin may have occurred.
When someone asks what is wrong, use 「んです」 to explain the situation. You can also use it to describe discomfort to a doctor.
Attach 「しまった」 to the verb’s て-form: ひねってしまった、打ってしまった。
The full expression 「てしまったようなんです」 explains to someone an unintended result that you have inferred.
Example sentences
- 階段kaidanでde足ashiをoすべらせsuberaseて、te、足首ashikubiをoひねっhinettてteしまったようなshimattayounaんn
In a conversation
Check yourself
Level 1 · Recognise
Which sentence is correct?
Level 1 · Recognise
Listen and choose the meaning
Level 2 · Build
Put the words in order
It seems that I lost my balance while running and ended up falling.
Level 3 · Use
What goes in the blank?
足首をひねっ____。
It seems I've sprained my ankle.
More grammar in this theme
- 〜てしまったようなんですinferred accident with regret