〜ずじまい

Pattern

〜ずじまい

Level

N3

Reading

〜ずじまい

Meaning

end up not doing

Attaches to

ない-form

Nuance & register

Regret or observation about an action that failed to happen.

Example

結局、彼には会わずじまいだった。 In the end, I never did get to meet him.

Easily confused with

〜てしまう (do completely). 〜ずじまい implies an intent or opportunity missed.

More from Grammar Points