Japanese grammar
What does ～だけましだ mean? Japanese grammar N2
～だけましだ means at least there's the small mercy that…, better than….
| Level (estimated, JLPT framework) | N2 |
|---|---|
| Structure | Plain form + だけましだ な形 + な + だけましだ |
| Romaji | dakemashida |
| Meaning | at least there's the small mercy that…, better than… |
Forming it
| Verb | 雨が降らない → 降らないだけましだ |
|---|---|
| Adjective | 安い → 安いだけましだ |
How to use it
The situation is inherently bad, but compared to the worst possibility, it is still fortunate. A form of self-consolation.
- 「～だけましだ」 = at least… so it's better than nothing. The context is always a bad situation: 「事故に遭ったが、けががなかっただけましだ」.
- 「まし」 means BETTER (than the alternative), not "good" — so the sentence still implicitly admits the situation is bad.
- Often paired with 「～よりは」: 「遅刻しただけましだ。来られないよりはいい」.
Examples
事故に遭ったが、けががなかっただけましだ。
I had an accident, but at least I was not injured.
給料は安いが、残業がないだけましだ。
The pay is low, but at least there is no overtime.
Keep in mind
- Only used when the situation is already bad.
- 「まし」 ≠ good.
Common mistakes
-
Wrong失敗するだけましだ。
I failed, but at least it didn't turn into a big deal — that's fortunate.
Correct失敗したが、大事にならなかっただけましだ。
The part before 「だけまし」 must be the LUCKY POINT that remains, not the bad thing itself.
-
Wrong給料も高いし、残業もないだけましだ。
The pay is high too, and there's no overtime either — how fortunate.
Correct給料は安いが、残業がないだけましだ。
When the situation is already good, this self-consoling pattern is not used.
Exam tips
- 「だけましだ」 = at least… (the situation is still bad); what comes before 「だけ」 is the fortunate point.