つい〜てしまう tsui... te shimau
つい〜てしまう（tsui... te shimau）means “to do ~ unintentionally / in spite of oneself”. 「つい」 means 'without intending to' and pairs with 「〜てしまう」 (regret/completion) to describe an action done involuntarily, by impulse, or out of habit, often with mild regret. Formation: つい + V-て + しまう
to do ~ unintentionally / in spite of oneself
N3Formation
つい + V-て + しまう
Explanation
「つい」 means 'without intending to' and pairs with 「〜てしまう」 (regret/completion) to describe an action done involuntarily, by impulse, or out of habit, often with mild regret.
Examples
Note
In casual speech 「〜てしまう」 often contracts to 「〜ちゃう／〜じゃう」 (e.g. 食べちゃった).
FAQ
つい〜てしまう — what does it mean and how is it used?
to do ~ unintentionally / in spite of oneself. 「つい」 means 'without intending to' and pairs with 「〜てしまう」 (regret/completion) to describe an action done involuntarily, by impulse, or out of habit, often with mild regret.
つい〜てしまう — how do you form it?
つい + V-て + しまう
つい〜てしまう — any usage notes?
In casual speech 「〜てしまう」 often contracts to 「〜ちゃう／〜じゃう」 (e.g. 食べちゃった).