〜ならまだしも
JLPT N1:X perhaps, but not Y
Concedes that one case might be tolerable, then stresses that the actual or more extreme case is not.
How to form it
- Put ならまだしも after the case you could accept: 一度の失敗ならまだしも.
- The case that follows is worse, more extreme or harder to excuse.
- The construction often carries criticism or exasperation.
Examples
一度の失敗ならまだしも、同じ間違いを毎日繰り返すのは問題だ。
One failure might be understandable, but repeating the same mistake every day is a problem.
冗談ならまだしも、本気で言っているなら許せない。
If it were a joke, perhaps, but if you mean it I cannot forgive it.
Common mistakes
- Making the second case milder than the first.
- Using it for a neutral A-or-B comparison.
Similar meaning
- 〜ならともかくif X, perhaps; but not Y
ならともかく also sets X aside, usually with slightly less emphasis than ならまだしも.