まだしも
まだしも
adverb
would still be acceptable; comparatively better; at least
1.
would still be acceptable; comparatively better; at least
Presents a more tolerable scenario to contrast with the actual, worse situation. Implies grudging acceptance of one thing but rejection of another.
一人ならまだしも、二人は無理だ。
One person would be manageable, but two is too much.
冗談ならまだしも、本気で言っているのか。
If it were a joke that would be one thing, but are you serious?
安ければまだしも、この値段では買えない。
If it were cheap I could accept it, but at this price I can't buy it.
子どもならまだしも、大人がそんなことをするのは恥ずかしい。
It would be understandable from a child, but it's embarrassing for an adult to do that.
Used to present a more tolerable or acceptable scenario before contrasting it with the actual (worse) situation. The pattern is typically "A ならまだしも、B" meaning "A would still be acceptable, but B is not." Implies that the speaker would grudgingly accept A but finds B unacceptable.
COMMON PATTERNS:
- ～ならまだしも: if it were ~ that would be one thing (but...)
- ～ればまだしも: if ~ then it would still be acceptable
- ～だったらまだしも: if it had been ~, that would be different
USAGE:
Expresses a concession — acknowledging one situation as tolerable in order to emphasize that the current situation goes beyond what is acceptable. Often carries a tone of complaint or criticism.
SIMILAR WORDS:
- まし: better (than the alternative) — simpler and more casual
- せめて: at least — expresses a minimal wish rather than a contrast