だけましだ
(Dake mashi da)
at least X (is better than nothing) / could be worse.
Connection rules
- ＋V plain / i-adj + だけましだ; na-adj + な + だけましだ; noun + (な) + だけましだ.
- ＋Minor consolation — silver lining in a negative situation.
- ＋Often with implicit comparison to something worse.
Examples
1.
雨だけど、雪じゃないだけましだ。
Ame da kedo, yuki ja nai dake mashi da.
It's raining, but at least it's not snowing.
「at least X (is better than nothing) / could be worse」
2.
給料は低いが、仕事があるだけましだ。
Kyuuryou wa hikui ga, shigoto ga aru dake mashi da.
My salary is low, but at least I have a job.
「at least X (is better than nothing) / could be worse」
Practice
The work is hard, but at least I have a salary.
仕事は大変だが、___。
Romaji also accepted