だけましだ
Meanings
- at least
- it's better than...
- one should feel grateful for
About this pattern
Explanation
だけましだ is used when something turned out not as badly as expected, and you want to emphasize that, despite a negative situation, there is a small, acceptable positive aspect. It conveys a sense of relief or begrudging gratitude, often in contrast to a worse possible outcome. It is commonly used in everyday situations to acknowledge that, though things aren’t great, they aren’t as bad as they could have been.
Learn in context
Example sentences
I caught a cold, but at least the fever isn’t high.
It started raining, but at least I brought an umbrella.
I ended up being late, but the meeting hadn’t started yet. Being late is bad, but at least I wasn’t completely out of luck.
I forgot my wallet, but I could pay with a card. That at least saved me.
Keep studying
More N2 patterns
to be able to; can; possible to do
View detailsUnable to; Cannot; Cannot possibly
View detailsCan't help doing; Have no choice but to...
View detailsto not ~; un~; archaic negative form of ず used in literary Japanese
View detailsWith the intention of doing; Instead of...; Act as if or pretend; Believing that...; Thinking that...
View detailsanyhow; at any rate; in any case; I have no doubt that; probably
View details