ならまだしも
Meanings
- If it were X, that might be acceptable, but Y is not acceptable
- A is tolerable; B is not
- It's different when A, but not when B
- It's not so bad when A, but B is worse
About this pattern
Explanation
This expression is used to compare two situations: a relatively acceptable or minor case versus a much less acceptable or more problematic case. The first part (before ならまだしも) is something that could be tolerable or understandable; the second part (after ならまだしも) is worse and thus not acceptable or believable."
Learn in context
Example sentences
If it were a child, maybe, but an adult telling such a lie is unbelievable.
If it were 100 yen, that would be fine, but a debt of ten million yen is too harsh.
If I could do it myself, that would be one thing, but leaving it to someone else is irresponsible.
Being late is understandable. But arriving without any notice is terrible.
Keep studying
More N1 patterns
from ... to ...; from start to finish; up to and including
View detailsNo matter how ~, it won't change the outcome; Even if ~, the result is still unlikely; Even though ~, it doesn't matter; it's futile to ~
View detailslike; similar to; as if; the same as
View detailsto be worthy of; to be enough for; to be sufficient
View detailsextreme; extremely; unbearably; to an extreme degree
View detailsEven though; Even if; Although; Despite
View details