始末する

• Reading: しまつする
• Romaji: shimatsusuru
• Kanji breakdown: 始 (shi/haji) — begin, start; 末 (matsu/sue) — end, tip
• Pronunciation: /ɕi.ma.tsɯ.sɯ.ɾɯ/

Meaning

To dispose of; to deal with; to settle. Euphemistically, to kill or eliminate someone.

A versatile suru verb whose meaning ranges from mundane tidying up to sinister euphemism. In daily life it means to clean up, dispose of, or handle a situation. In crime dramas and fiction, 始末する is a well-known euphemism for killing. The noun 始末 alone can mean circumstances or the state of affairs, often with a negative nuance.

Examples

1. 壊れたパソコンを始末しなければならない。 I need to get rid of my broken computer.
2. 自分で起こした問題は自分で始末しろ。 Clean up the mess you made yourself.
3. あの証拠を始末するように命じられた。 I was ordered to dispose of that evidence.

Usage Guide

Context: daily life, crime fiction, problem-solving

Tone: varies

Origin & History

Compound of 始 (shi, beginning) + 末 (matsu, end). Literally 'from beginning to end,' implying seeing something through to completion — hence 'settling' or 'disposing of' a matter entirely.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal