Grammar Info

N1 Lesson 1: 9/17

ならまだしもA is fine...but B is not, If it's ~ then it is ok...but ~ is not, It's different when...but, It's not so bad when...but

しも is from classical Japanese and emphasizes まだ

Structure

Phrase (A) + ならまだしも + Phrase (B)

Details

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About ならまだしも

ならまだしも is a combination of なら 'if', まだ 'still', and the adverbial particle しも, which has the primary purpose of strengthening the word that comes before it. When used, this structure will often be translated as '(A) is fine, but not (B)', or '(A) is fine, but it's different when it's (B)'.

ならまだしも is a phrase that usually separates the first and second half of sentences, so will be attached to the end of the (A) phrase, marking the statement that is acceptable.

Due to the way that しも alters まだ, a more literal translation of this grammar point can be thought of as 'if it's (A), then of course there's still that, but as for (B)'.

Fun Fact

しも is a classical particle that is not frequently used in modern times outside of set phrases or expressions like ならまだしも, 今(いま)しも 'right this moment', and だれしも 'absolutely anybody'. In all cases, it merely strengthens the word directly before it.

Examples

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    すみませんが、付(つ)き合(あ)うぐらいならまだしも、結婚(けっこん)は無理(むり)な注文(ちゅうもん)です。

    I am sorry, if it is just going out then it is ok, but marriage is out of the question. (is not okay)

    すごく恥(は)ずかしい！お父(とう)さん、ビーチでならまだしも、半裸(はんら)で外(そと)に出(で)るのはやめてほしい！

    This is so embarrassing! Papa, if it is a beach, it is ok, but going half naked outside? I want you to stop! (it is not okay)

    「ねぇ、歩(ある)いて行(い)こうよ。」
    「自転車(じてんしゃ)ならまだしも、そんな遠(とお)くまで歩(ある)いて行(い)くのは無理(むり)だよ。」

    'C'mon, let's go on foot!'
    'If it was on a bicycle, then it would be ok, but it is impossible to go that far on foot!' (is not okay)

    隣人(りんじん)がうちの駐車(ちゅうしゃ)区域(くいき)にたまに車(くるま)を止(と)めるならまだしも、いつも止(と)めているから、いい加減(かげん)腹(はら)が立(た)つよ。

    If my neighbor uses my parking spot from time to time then it's ok, but because he is always parking there, I get pissed. (it is not okay)

    ツイート：「自分(じぶん)が感染(かんせん)するだけならまだしも祖父母(そふぼ)や親(おや)などが病気(びょうき)になってしまうのがとても恐(おそ)ろしいです。」

    Tweet: 'If it is just me becoming infected, then it is ok, but my grandparents or parents becoming ill is really scary.' (is not okay)

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      ならまだしも – Grammar Discussion

      Most Recent Replies (1 in total)

      • Brand_S

        Brand_S

        Judging from nihongosensei.net, this phrase seems to be interchangeable with ～ならともかく (which I just encountered in the wild). I’m wondering if ～ならともかく should be added to the SRS in some form.

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