しまった

し

ま

っ

た

Common wordJLPTN3

Meanings

interjection

darn it!; oops!; oh no!

usually written using kana alone

An exclamation of regret or dismay when one realizes a mistake or something has gone wrong. Derived from the past tense of しまう (to finish/put away), implying an irreversible outcome.

Kanji

仕attend, doing, official
舞dance, flit, circle

Related words

やばいN1
しまった is said the instant you realize you've made a mistake, while やばい is a broader casual exclamation for anything alarming, dangerous, or bad, not just one's own blunder.
まずいN4
しまった expresses instant regret over a mistake just realized, whereas まずい as an exclamation flags that a situation looks bad or awkward, often before the outcome is final.
おっと
しまった expresses stronger regret or frustration over a mistake, while おっと is a lighter, more casual reaction to a small slip.
なんてこった
しまった expresses regret at one's own mistake, while 何てこった is a broader shocked exclamation at bad news or a bad situation.

Opposites

やった
しまった expresses dismay at a mistake or bad outcome, the opposite reaction to the joy expressed by やった.

Etymology

Derived from the past tense of the verb しまう (to finish, to put away), implying that something has been done and cannot be undone, leading to an expression of regret.