だけまし

About

～だけまし ("at least/I'm just glad that") is used to express that although a situation may not be ideal, it isn't as bad as X potential outcome.

～だけまし can attach directly to casual form verbs/い-adjectives, or to な-adjectives/nouns using な・である・だった.

E.g. 車くるまとぶつかって自転車じてんしゃが壊こわれたが、怪我けががなかっただけましだと思おもおう。 "I hit a car and my bike broke, but I'm just glad that I didn't get hurt."

E.g. このアパートは狭せまいが、駅えきに近ちかいだけましだ。 "This apartment is small, but at least it's close to the station."

E.g. 風邪かぜをひいていても元気げんきなだけましね。 "Even if (they) caught a cold, at least (they're) in good spirits."

～だけまし is most commonly used in casual, spoken scenarios.

Summary

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  ～だけまし means "at least/I'm just glad that"

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  ～だけまし is used to express that although a situation may not be ideal, it isn't as bad as X potential outcome