At a glance
Noun だけではすまない means "it can't be settled with just [noun]". It is used when a situation is serious enough that something more, such as compensation or punishment, will be needed or will follow.
Noun + だけではすまない
こんな大きなミスは、謝罪だけではすまない。 A mistake this big can't be settled with just an apology.
How to form it
The pattern is だけ ("just") + で (means or condition, "with / by") + は (contrast) + すまない (negative of 済む "to be settled, to be enough").
| Attaches to | Pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Noun | Noun + だけではすまない | 謝罪だけではすまない |
| Verb (dictionary form) | Verb + だけではすまない | 謝るだけではすまない |
| Form | Ending |
|---|---|
| Plain | すまない |
| Polite | すみません |
| Past | すまなかった |
| Stronger ("can't be allowed to end with") | すまされない |
It is written both as すまない and 済まない.