〜だけまし dake mashi

〜だけまし（dake mashi）means “at least it's better that...; could have been worse”. Used in a bad or unsatisfactory situation to say it could have been worse: 'the fact that at least X holds makes it better (than the worst case)'. Formation: V/Aい(普通形)+ だけまし／Aな(普通形)+ だけまし／N + である + だけまし

at least it's better that...; could have been worse

N2

Formation

V/Aい(普通形)+ だけまし／Aな(普通形)+ だけまし／N + である + だけまし

Explanation

Used in a bad or unsatisfactory situation to say it could have been worse: 'the fact that at least X holds makes it better (than the worst case)'. Expresses reluctant relief or settling for a lesser evil. Often 〜だけ(でも)ましだ.

Examples

電車は遅れたが、乗れただけましだ。
でんしゃはおくれたが、のれただけましだ。
The train was late, but at least I managed to get on — it could've been worse.
給料は安いが、残業がないだけましだ。
きゅうりょうはやすいが、ざんぎょうがないだけましだ。
The pay is low, but at least there's no overtime — that's something.

Note

まし means 'better/preferable (among bad options)', not 'good'. With a noun use Nである + だけまし.

FAQ

〜だけまし — what does it mean and how is it used?

at least it's better that...; could have been worse. Used in a bad or unsatisfactory situation to say it could have been worse: 'the fact that at least X holds makes it better (than the worst case)'. Expresses reluctant relief or settling for a lesser evil. Often 〜だけ(でも)ましだ.

〜だけまし — how do you form it?

V/Aい(普通形)+ だけまし／Aな(普通形)+ だけまし／N + である + だけまし

〜だけまし — any usage notes?

まし means 'better/preferable (among bad options)', not 'good'. With a noun use Nである + だけまし.

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