～はまだしも

〜wa mada shimo

JLPT N2 Chapter 104: As you would expect of it, 4 of 6

Formation

Noun1 + はまだしも + Noun2

Expresses that while the first item is somewhat acceptable, the second item is not.

When to use

はまだしも: X would be one thing, but Y is too much.

Explanation

The ～はまだしも grammar point is used to show a contrast where the first item or situation might still be understandable or tolerable, whereas the second one is harder to accept. It’s often translated as 'X is one thing, but Y...'.

Example sentences

失敗しっぱいするのはまだしも、やらないで後悔こうかいする方ほうがつらい。

Failing is one thing, but regretting not even trying is worse.

Shippai suru no wa mada shimo, yaranai de koukai suru hou ga tsurai.
このピザは野菜やさいが少すくないのはまだしも、味あじも悪わるい。

It’s not just that this pizza has few vegetables, it also tastes bad.

Kono piza wa yasai ga sukunai no wa mada shimo, aji mo warui.
たまに遅刻ちこくするのはまだしも、連絡れんらくもせずに遅刻ちこくするのは許せない。

Being late occasionally might be forgivable, but being late without any contact is unacceptable.

Tama ni chikoku suru no wa mada shimo, renraku mo sezu ni chikoku suru no wa yurusenai.
難むずかしい質問しつもんに答こたえられないのはまだしも、簡単かんたんな質問しつもんにも答こたえられないのは問題もんだいだ。

It’s one thing not to be able to answer difficult questions, but it’s a real problem if you can’t even answer simple ones.

Muzukashii shitsumon ni kotaerarenai no wa mada shimo, kantan na shitsumon ni mo kotaerarenai no wa mondai da.

Setting Aside (X Aside / X Is One Thing, But)

Compare when to use each