～はまだしも (〜wa mada shimo)
Explanation
Expresses that while the first item is somewhat acceptable, the second item is not.
Formation
Noun1 + はまだしも + Noun2
Detailed 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...'.
Examples
失敗するのはまだしも、やらないで後悔する方がつらい。
Shippai suru no wa mada shimo, yaranai de koukai suru hou ga tsurai.
Failing is one thing, but regretting not even trying is worse.
このピザは野菜が少ないのはまだしも、味も悪い。
Kono piza wa yasai ga sukunai no wa mada shimo, aji mo warui.
It’s not just that this pizza has few vegetables, it also tastes bad.
たまに遅刻するのはまだしも、連絡もせずに遅刻するのは許せない。
Tama ni chikoku suru no wa mada shimo, renraku mo sezu ni chikoku suru no wa yurusenai.
Being late occasionally might be forgivable, but being late without any contact is unacceptable.
難しい質問に答えられないのはまだしも、簡単な質問にも答えられないのは問題だ。
Muzukashii shitsumon ni kotaerarenai no wa mada shimo, kantan na shitsumon ni mo kotaerarenai no wa mondai da.
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.
Grammar content sourced from hanabira.org.