Explanation

だけましだ is a phrase used to express a relative improvement in a situation or to compare something favorably to something worse. It is often translated as 'better than nothing' or 'better than...'

Personalized Lesson For You!

Key Formation

• Noun or Verb Phrase + だけましだ

  お金があるだけましだ (At least I have some money)

• Adjective + だけましだ

  元気なだけましだ (At least I am healthy)

Example Sentences

• 雨が降ってきたけど、傘があるだけましだ。

  It started raining, but at least I have an umbrella.

  あめがふってきたけど、かさがあるだけましだ。

  Ame ga futte kita kedo, kasa ga aru dake mashi da.

  Pronunciation

• 友達が1人も来なかったけど、お祝いのプレゼントだけましだ。

  None of my friends came, but at least I have a celebratory gift.

  ともだちがひとりもこなかったけど、おいわいのぷれぜんとだけましだ。

  Tomodachi ga hitori mo konakatta kedo, oiwai no purezento dake mashi da.

  Pronunciation

• 試験は難しかったけど、合格しただけましだ。

  The exam was difficult, but at least I passed.

  しけんはむずかしかったけど、ごうかくしただけましだ。

  Shiken wa muzukashikatta kedo, goukaku shita dake mashi da.

  Pronunciation

• 給料が少ないけど、仕事があるだけましだ。

  The salary is low, but at least I have a job.

  きゅうりょうがすくないけど、しごとがあるだけましだ。

  Kyuuryou ga sukunai kedo, shigoto ga aru dake mashi da.

  Pronunciation

• 体は疲れているけど、元気なだけましだ。

  Although my body is tired, at least I am healthy.

  からだはつかれているけど、げんきなだけましだ。

  Karada wa tsukarete iru kedo, genki na dake mashi da.

  Pronunciation

Usage Notes

Notes and Tips for JLPT students

Related Grammar, and what's the difference?

• だけ (dake) - (N5)
  - だけ (dake) is used to indicate 'only' or 'just'. It is used to limit or quantify something. On the other hand, だけましだ (dake mashi da) is used to express a relative improvement or a positive view on a less-than-ideal situation.
• しか～ない (shika ~ nai) - (N4)
  - Both だけましだ (dake mashi da) and しか～ない (shika ~ nai) are used to express a limitation or a less-than-ideal situation. However, だけましだ (dake mashi da) emphasizes a relative improvement, while しか～ない (shika ~ nai) emphasizes a negative restriction.
• より～の方が (yori ~ no hou ga) - (N2)
  - Both だけましだ (dake mashi da) and より～の方が (yori ~ no hou ga) compare and express a favorable view on a situation. However, だけましだ (dake mashi da) focuses on a relative improvement, while より～の方が (yori ~ no hou ga) emphasizes a comparison between two things.

Useful Vocabulary that appeared in this page

• * 雨 (あめ)rainPronunciation
• * 降る (ふる)to fall (rain, snow, etc.)Pronunciation
• * 傘 (かさ)umbrellaPronunciation
• * 友達 (ともだち)friendPronunciation
• * 一人 (ひとり)one personPronunciation
• * 来る (こる)to comePronunciation
• * 祝い (おいわい)celebrationPronunciation
• * プレゼント (ぷれぜんと)present/giftPronunciation
• * 試験 (しけん)exam/testPronunciation
• * 合格 (ごうかく)passing (an exam)Pronunciation
• * 給料 (きゅうりょう)salary/wagePronunciation
• * 少ない (すくない)little/fewPronunciation
• * 仕事 (しごと)work/jobPronunciation
• * 体 (からだ)bodyPronunciation
• * 疲れる (つかれる)to get tiredPronunciation
• * 元気 (げんき)healthy/energeticPronunciation

Quiz

Which of the following means 'At least I have some money'?

• 少ないけど、お金があるだけましだ。
• 多いけど、お金がないだけましだ。
• 多くないけど、お金があるだけましだ。