1.
to finish, to complete
To bring something to completion.
仕事を済ませる。
To finish work.
食事を済ませてから行く。
I'll go after finishing the meal.
買い物を済ませた。
I finished shopping.
用事を済ませた。
I finished the errands.
出かける前に準備を全部済ませた。
I finished all the preparations before going out.
会議が始まる前に昼食を済ませておきたい。
I want to finish lunch before the meeting starts.
2.
to settle, to manage with
To deal with or settle a matter.
電話で済ませる。
To settle it by phone.
お金で済ませる。
To settle it with money.
謝るだけで済ませようとしている。
They're trying to settle it with just an apology.
今日は忙しいから、昼ごはんはコンビニで済ませた。
I was busy today, so I just grabbed something at a convenience store for lunch.
面倒なことはメールで済ませないで、直接会って話したほうがいい。
For troublesome matters, it's better to meet and talk in person rather than settling it by email.
済ませる means to finish, complete, or settle something. It emphasizes getting something done or out of the way.
TRANSITIVITY:
- Type: 他動詞 (transitive)
- Pair: 済む (intransitive - to be finished/done)
COMMON PATTERNS:
- Xを済ませる: to finish X
- Xで済ませる: to settle with X, to manage with just X
- 先に済ませる: to get done first
- 早く済ませる: to finish quickly
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 仕事を済ませる: to finish work
- 食事を済ませる: to finish a meal
- 用事を済ませる: to finish errands
- 手続きを済ませる: to complete procedures
SIMILAR VERBS:
- 終える: to finish, complete (neutral)
- 済ませる: to get done, settle (emphasis on disposing of)
- 片付ける: to tidy up, finish off