だけましだ
At least, It's better than..., One should feel grateful for
Structure
［い］Adjective + だけまし + だ
［な］Adjective + な + だけまし + だ
Noun + である + だけまし + だ
Explanation
The phrase だけましだ expresses that although a situation is not ideal, you should be thankful for a specific positive aspect, conveying the sentiment 'at least (A) is true'. It's typically used when acknowledging that things could have been worse. The structure combines the particle `だけ` (just/only) with `まし`, which means 'better' or 'preferable'. The literal nuance is something like 'just having (A) is an improvement over what might have been'.
だけましだ typically connects to verbs and い-Adjectives in their plain form, or to な-Adjectives, which must be followed by な.
- テストの点数は悪かったけど、合格できただけましだ。My test score was awful, but I should be grateful that I managed to pass.
- このセーターは古いけど、温かいだけましだ。This sweater is old, but at least it's warm.
- 給料は安いけど、仕事が楽なだけましだ。The salary is low, but at least the work is easy.
Most of the time, `まし` is written in hiragana. You may also see it written in katakana (`マシ`), which tends to place a stronger emphasis on the feeling that one should be thankful for the redeeming quality.
Caution
While less frequent, the variation だけまだましだ also exists. The addition of まだ ('still') simply strengthens the feeling that the situation is 'still better' than a worse alternative.
- 試合に負けてしまったが、１点でも取れただけまだましだ。We lost the game, but at least we managed to score one point.
Examples
このアパートは狭いが、駅から近いだけましだ。
This apartment is small, but at least it's close to the station.
給料は安いが、残業が少ないだけましだ。
The salary is low, but at least there isn't much overtime.
このスマホは古くて遅いけど、まだ使えるだけましだ。
This smartphone is old and slow, but I should be grateful that it still works.
彼は家事を全くしないけど、働いてくれるだけましだ。
He doesn't do any housework at all, but at least he works to support us.
風邪をひいてしまったが、インフルエンザじゃないだけましだ。
I caught a cold, but at least it's not the flu.
デザインは地味だけど、丈夫なだけましだ。
The design is a bit plain, but at least it's durable.
飛行機は遅れたけど、キャンセルされなかっただけましです。
The flight was delayed, but I'm just glad it wasn't cancelled.
ぎりぎりだったけど、試験に合格できただけましだ。
It was a close call, but I should be thankful that I managed to pass the exam.
部長はとても厳しいですが、公平なだけましです。
The department head is very strict, but at least he is fair.
財布をなくしたが、スマホは無事なだけましだ。
I lost my wallet, but I'm grateful that my phone is safe.
あのレストランは混んでいてうるさいが、味がいいだけましだ。
That restaurant is crowded and noisy, but at least the food is good.
ボーナスはなかったが、仕事があるだけましだと思う。
There was no bonus, but I suppose I should be grateful to have a job at all.