# て済む（てすむ）: be resolved by; be enough to

> Learn how to use て済む（てすむ）, a JLPT N3 Japanese grammar point meaning be resolved by; be enough to, with structure, nuance, examples, mistakes, and comparisons.

JLPT level: N3 · Updated: 2026-05-17 · Canonical: https://hane-app.com/blog/n3-te-sumu/

**て済む（てすむ）** means **be resolved by; be enough to**. It is a **JLPT N3** grammar pattern used to **say that a problem can be settled with a limited action or cost**.

This grammar point often appears in **neutral** Japanese. If you want to **say that a problem can be settled with a limited action or cost**, **て済む（てすむ）** is a useful pattern to learn.

## What does て済む（てすむ） mean?

Use **て済む（てすむ）** when you want to **say that a problem can be settled with a limited action or cost**.

Natural translations include:
- be resolved by; be enough to
- be resolved by
- be resolved by / be enough to

## How to form て済む（てすむ）

Verbて-form + 済む

Examples of the pattern:
- 謝って済む
- 払って済む
- 少し待って済む

## When is て済む（てすむ） used?

Use **て済む（てすむ）** in situations like:
- explaining grammar in context
- answering JLPT reading questions
- making natural Japanese sentences

Tone and register:
- neutral
- Common in JLPT reading, grammar questions, and natural Japanese sentences

## て済む（てすむ） example sentences

- 謝って済む問題ではない。 — This is not a problem that can be solved just by apologizing.
- 千円払って済みました。 — It was settled by paying 1,000 yen.
- 電話一本で済む話です。 — It is something that can be handled with one phone call.
- けがをしないで済んでよかった。 — I am glad I got away without being injured.
- 早く気づいたので、大きな問題にならずに済んだ。 — Because I noticed early, it avoided becoming a big problem.

## Nuance of て済む（てすむ）

The key nuance is **a natural way to express “be resolved by; be enough to” with the right context and tone**.

This matters because **て済む（てすむ）** does more than match a single English phrase. It shows how the speaker frames the condition, timing, example, role, intention, or contrast in the sentence.

For example:
- In context, it sounds natural when the surrounding sentence supports the nuance.
- Compared with **だけでいい**, it has a different focus and level of formality.

## て済む（てすむ） vs だけでいい

Both **て済む（てすむ）** and **だけでいい** can appear in related situations, but they are different.

**て済む（てすむ）**:
- means **be resolved by; be enough to**
- fits the specific N3 pattern and nuance explained above

**だけでいい**:
- だけでいい says “just is fine”; て済む focuses on resolving or getting by with that action

Quick contrast examples:
- Target: 謝って済む問題ではない。 — This is not a problem that can be solved just by apologizing.
- Compare: Try replacing it with **だけでいい** and check whether the nuance still matches.

## Common mistakes with て済む（てすむ）

Watch out for these mistakes:
- Using **て済む（てすむ）** with the wrong form
- Confusing **て済む（てすむ）** with **だけでいい**
- Translating it too literally instead of reading the whole sentence

## Is て済む（てすむ） on the JLPT?

Yes. **て済む（てすむ）** is commonly taught as **JLPT N3** grammar.

That means learners should be able to:
- recognize it in reading
- understand its nuance in context
- use it in simple original sentences

## Practice questions for て済む（てすむ）

Try making your own sentences with these prompts:
- Write one sentence using **て済む（てすむ）**.
- Contrast **て済む（てすむ）** with **だけでいい**.
- Make a JLPT-style sentence where the context makes the meaning clear.

## Learning path for て済む（てすむ）

To learn **て済む（てすむ）** efficiently, review the formation first, then compare it with the closest existing grammar point before writing your own sentence.

1. First, make sure you can form **て済む（てすむ）** without looking at the pattern chart.
2. Next, compare it with [てばかりいる](/blog/n3-te-bakari-iru/), [てごらん](/blog/n3-te-goran/). These patterns are close enough that choosing between them helps you understand the nuance.
3. Finally, write sentences where the grammar point’s nuance is necessary; then check whether replacing **て済む（てすむ）** with [てはじめて](/blog/n3-te-hajimete/) changes the meaning.

## Related grammar to review next

- [てばかりいる](/blog/n3-te-bakari-iru/) — because it appears in the same grammar family.
- [てごらん](/blog/n3-te-goran/) — because it appears in the same grammar family.
- [てはじめて](/blog/n3-te-hajimete/) — because it appears in the same grammar family.
- [てからでないと](/blog/n3-te-kara-de-nai-to/) — because it appears in the same grammar family.

## Learn て済む（てすむ） with Hane

If you want to review **て済む（てすむ）** together with the related patterns above, Hane helps you connect grammar, kanji, and vocabulary in short, focused sessions.

Browse more lessons here:
- [All grammar lessons](/blog/)
- [JLPT N3 grammar lessons](/blog/n3/)