しまった

Swearing in Japanese is rather strange.  As far as I can tell, there is no distinct lexicon of curse words.  Instead, context and formality seem to determine most of Japanese swearing.  My favorite curse word, しまった, (shima'tta) is actually just the informal past form of a verb which means 'to complete', or 'to do', but often carries a connotation of a negative event having happened.  For example, I could use it as an auxiliary verb with 'to forget' to inoffensively convey that unfortunately, I have forgotten my Japanese phone number.  However, when used as a stand-alone in the short form as in above, it means something closer to 'damnit', and is much less polite. くそ, a word which in English I would not say in front of my grandmother or anyone for whom I wished to babysit again, seems to be much more flexible in Japanese; I once even heard it on a children's show (although it was the Bad Guy saying it to his Inept Minion).  A word meaning 'loud and annoying' can be used to say 'shut up' rather forcefully, but can still be used as a descriptor when talking in normal conversation.  I'm never quite sure if what I'll say will offend someone or not, so I typically try to keep away from those words and contexts.  However, there are some times when I know they're fully applicable and appropriate, and this brings me to the inspiration for this mini language lesson: I've run out of hot water.  Again.  しまった。