ただでさえ
(Tada de sae)
even normally / already (in an unmodified state).
Connection rules
- ＋ただでさえ + [sentence describing normal state] + 〜のに + [worsening factor].
- ＋Literary intensifier — 'even in the normal state, X'.
- ＋Often followed by a 'worsening' clause with のに or に.
Examples
1.
ただでさえ忙しいのに、追加の仕事が来た。
Tada de sae isogashii noni, tsuika no shigoto ga ki ta.
Even normally busy, on top of that, extra work came.
「even normally / already (in an unmodified state)」
2.
ただでさえ狭い部屋に、家具が増えた。
Tada de sae semai heya ni, kagu ga fue ta.
Even the normally cramped room, and now more furniture.
「even normally / already (in an unmodified state)」
Practice
Since he is already thin normally, he looks even more haggard when he catches a cold.
彼は___痩せているのに、風邪をひくとさらにやつれて見える。
Romaji also accepted