すみません came from 済みません?


What's the correlation between 済む and すみません? 済む means to finish and I can't
see it a correlation between the two.




A better understanding of
[済む](https://dictionary.goo.ne.jp/jn/120156/meaning/m0u/) is _to be settled_
or _be cleared off_. Thus すみません represents the sentiment that one owes a
mental debt, something remain to be repaid. Here comes the meaning "I feel
guilty to you", or "I'm sorry".

FYI the negative of 済む as such has that lexical meaning besides this cliche.

> 彼には **済まない** ことをした  
>  = _I did something conscience-smitten to him_  
>  ≈ "I regret what I did to him"




A better understanding of
[済む](https://dictionary.goo.ne.jp/jn/120156/meaning/m0u/) is _to be settled_
or _be cleared off_. Thus すみません represents the sentiment that one owes a
mental debt, something remain to be repaid. Here comes the meaning "I feel
guilty to you", or "I'm sorry".

FYI the negative of 済む as such has that lexical meaning besides this cliche.

> 彼には **済まない** ことをした  
>  = _I did something conscience-smitten to him_  
>  ≈ "I regret what I did to him"

