Pronunciation Trap: "すむ (sumu)"

In Japanese, many words share the exact same pronunciation "すむ (sumu)" but are written with different Kanji, changing the meaning entirely.

• 住む (Level: N5): Translates to "to live, to reside" and is used when Intransitive verb. Used to describe where someone lives, usually with the particle 「に」. Often used in the form 住んでいます.
• 済む (Level: N4): Maps to "to finish, to be completed, to be settled; to suffice" and carries the nuance of This verb often indicates that a task or event has come to an end or been completed. It can also mean that a problem has been resolved, or that something is sufficient/enough for a purpose..

Mixing these up can easily result in unnatural writing. Look at the bilingual context cards below to master the conceptual boundaries!