まし
まし
na-adjective / noun
better, preferable (of bad options)
1.
better, preferable
Indicates that something is relatively better when comparing unfavorable options. Implies that none of the choices are ideal, but one is more tolerable than the others.
まだましだ。
It's still better (than the alternative).
歩くよりバスの方がましだ。
Taking the bus is better than walking.
あの店は高いけど、まずい店に行くよりはましだと思う。
That restaurant is expensive, but I think it's better than going to one with bad food.
USAGE:
まし always carries the nuance of "not great, but at least better than the alternative." It is never used to describe something genuinely good. The comparison is always between unsatisfactory options.
PATTERNS:
- ～よりまし: better than ～
- まだまし: still better, at least tolerable
- ～の方がまし: ～ is the better option
- ないよりまし: better than nothing
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 何もしないよりまし: better than doing nothing
- 前よりまし: better than before
- 死んだ方がまし: I'd rather die (hyperbolic expression of extreme dissatisfaction)