1.
to be finished, to be done
For something to be completed.
仕事が済んだ。
The work is done.
食事が済んだ。
The meal is finished.
用事が済んだら連絡します。
I'll contact you when I'm done with my errands.
2.
to be settled, to be resolved
For a matter to be concluded.
これで済む。
This will be enough.
謝って済む問題ではない。
This isn't something that can be resolved with an apology.
電話で済む話だ。
It's something that can be settled with a phone call.
済む is an intransitive godan verb meaning 'to be finished' or 'to be settled.'
TRANSITIVITY:
- Type: 自動詞 (intransitive)
- Pair: 済ませる (transitive, to finish/complete)
KEY PATTERNS:
- Xが済む: X is finished
- V-て済む: can get by with doing V
- V-ないで済む: can manage without doing V
- それで済む: that will be enough/sufficient
COMMON EXPRESSIONS:
- 仕事が済んだ: the work is done
- 用事が済む: business is finished
- 食事が済む: finished eating
- 謝って済む問題ではない: not something an apology can fix
NOTE:
Don't confuse with 住む (to live, to reside), which has the same reading but different kanji and meaning.