ならまだしも
A is fine...but B is not, If it's ~ then it is ok...but ~ is not, It's different when...but, It's not so bad when...but
Structure
Explanation
ならまだしも is formed from the conditional なら, the word まだ ('still/yet'), and the adverbial particle しも, which serves to emphasize the word preceding it. This construction is commonly used to express that '(A) would be acceptable, but (B) is not,' or '(A) is one thing, but (B) is a different story'.
ならまだしも typically connects two clauses in a sentence. It is placed after the first clause (A) to indicate that this situation is somewhat tolerable, before introducing the less acceptable situation (B).
- ちょっと辛いだけならまだしも、こんなに辛くては食べられないよ。A little spiciness I could handle, but it's so hot I can't eat it.
- 千円ならまだしも、一万円はちょっと貸せないなあ。A thousand yen would be one thing, but I don't think I can lend you ten thousand.
- 一度ならまだしも、毎週のように遅刻するのは問題だよ。Being late once is forgivable, but showing up late almost every week is a problem.
Considering how しも emphasizes まだ, a more literal interpretation of this grammar pattern could be something like 'if it were just (A), that would still be a possibility, but when it comes to (B)...'.
Fun Fact
The particle しも originates from classical Japanese and is rarely seen in contemporary language, except in fixed expressions such as ならまだしも, 今しも ('at this very moment'), and だれしも ('any and everyone'). In each case, its sole function is to add emphasis to the preceding word.
- 今しも電車がホームを出発するところだった。The train was just at the point of departing from the platform.
- 誰しも一度や二度は失敗をするものだ。Absolutely everyone makes a mistake once or twice.
Examples
冗談ならまだしも、人を傷つけるような嘘をつくのは絶対にやめてほしい。
If it's a joke, that's one thing, but I really want you to stop telling lies that hurt people. (is not okay)
一度の失敗ぐらいならまだしも、何回も同じミスをするなんて、注意が足りないんじゃないか。
If it were just one failure, that'd be understandable, but making the same mistake over and over again? You're just not being careful enough. (is not okay)
「この仕事、お願いできる？」
「簡単な資料作成ならまだしも、こんなに専門的な分析は私にはできません。」
'Could I ask you to do this task?'
'If it were just creating a simple document, I could manage, but I can't do such a specialized analysis.' (is not okay)
少し値段が高いだけならまだしも、給料一ヶ月分もするバッグなんて買えるわけがない。
It's not so bad if it's just a little pricey, but there's no way I can buy a bag that costs a whole month's salary.
子どもがテレビを見るだけならまだしも、宿題もせずに一日中ゲームばかりしているのは困る。
If it were just my child watching TV, it would be fine, but it's a problem when they play video games all day without even doing their homework. (is not okay)
５分か１０分の説教ならまだしも、１時間も同じ話を繰り返されると、さすがに聞く気がなくなる。
A five or ten-minute lecture would be one thing, but when you repeat the same story for an hour, I just lose the will to listen. (is not okay)
昼寝ぐらいならまだしも、明日はテストなのに徹夜でゲームをするなんて信じられない。
Taking a nap would be understandable, but I can't believe you're staying up all night playing games when you have a test tomorrow.
メールの返信が少し遅れるくらいならまだしも、一週間も無視するのは失礼だ。
It would be fine if your email reply was a little late, but ignoring it for a whole week is just rude. (is not okay)
雨ならまだしも、雷まで鳴り始めたから、今日の試合は中止だろう。
If it were just rain, that'd be fine, but now that thunder has started rumbling, today's match will probably be cancelled.
親が子どもに：「自分の部屋が汚いだけならまだしも、リビングまで散らかすのはやめなさい！」
Parent to child: 'If it were only your own room that was messy, I could let it slide, but stop making a mess in the living room too!' (is not okay)
料理が下手なだけならまだしも、台所をめちゃくちゃにして片付けないのは許せない。
I could forgive it if you were just bad at cooking, but making a total mess of the kitchen and not cleaning up is unforgivable.
一杯ぱいや二杯ならまだしも、毎晩のように記憶がなくなるまで飲むのは体に悪いよ。
If it's one or two drinks, that's fine, but drinking until you black out almost every night is bad for your health. (is not okay)