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〜では済まない・〜では済まされない

won't end with just, can't be let off with

Noun / Plain form + では済まない / では済まされない

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では済まない says that something isn't enough to settle a matter, and the consequences will be more serious: 謝るだけでは済まない, "an apology alone won't settle this".

The first half is a light response or excuse: an apology, a joke, "I didn't know", a warning. The second half is often implied: there'll be a heavier punishment or responsibility.

では済まされない is the passive form, "can't be let off with": 冗談では済まされない, "this is no laughing matter". 知らなかったでは済まない is a common warning: "saying you didn't know won't cut it".

It's the opposite of で済む, "get away with, be settled by": 謝るだけで済んだ.

Examples

  • 謝あやまるだけでは済すまない。

    An apology alone won't settle this.

  • これは冗談じょうだんでは済すまされない。

    This is no laughing matter.

  • これは知しらなかったでは済すまない問題もんだいだ。

    Saying you didn't know won't cut it for this.

  • 今度遅刻こんどちこくしたら、注意ちゅういでは済すまないぞ。

    Be late again and you'll get more than a warning.

  • 世よの中なかには、ごめんでは済すまないこともある。

    There are things in this world that sorry won't fix.

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