だけましだ

At least, It's better than..., One should feel grateful for

このアパートはボロボロだけど、職場しょくばに近ちかいだけましだ。

This apartment is a wreck, but at least it is close to my work place.

Explanation

「だけましだ」 means 'at least..., it could be worse'. The situation is not good, but it is better than the worst case, so you should be thankful. Used to comfort yourself or others: 「怪我をしなかっただけましだ」 (At least I wasn't hurt). First mention the shortcoming, then the bright side. It does not fit a situation that has no flaw at all.

Mixed up with

「だけましだ」: it has already happened; 'a blessing in disguise'.

「まだしも」: a hypothetical contrast, 'the first I could accept, the second is too much': 「10分遅刻ならまだしも、1時間も待たせるなんて」 (Ten minutes late would be one thing, but keeping me waiting an hour!).

「ほうがいい」: plain advice or choice, without the 'could be worse' relief.

Examples

味覚みかくはないかもしれないが、元気げんきなだけましだ。
Although I can't taste, at least I am feeling well.
古ふるい校舎こうしゃだが、冷房れいぼうがあるだけましだ。
The school building is old, but at least it has air conditioning.
ご馳走ちそうとは言いえないが、食たべるものがあるだけましだ。
I can't say that I feasted, but at least I had something to eat.
天気てんきはあまり良よくないが、久ひさしぶりに旅行りょこうに来こられただけましだ。
Although the weather isn't the best, I should be grateful that I am able to travel for the first time in a long time.
あんな大事故だいじこが起おきたのだから、命いのちがあるだけましだ。
Since such a big accident occured, you should be grateful that you are still alive.
泥棒どろぼうに入はいられたが、金庫きんこが無事ぶじなだけましだ。
A robber broke in, but I should be grateful that the safe is intact.
上手じょうずな部員ぶいんはいなくても、部ぶに後輩こうはいがいるだけましです。
Even if there are no skilled members, at least the club has some juniors.
料理りょうりは微妙びみょうでも、裁縫さいほうが上手じょうずなだけましだ。
Even if their cooking is questionable, at least they are good at sewing.
彼かれはやり方かたが強引ごういんですが、暴力ぼうりょくを振ふるわないだけましです。
His way of doing it is overbearing, but you should be grateful that he isn't violent.
私わたしの旦那だんなは料理りょうりもしない。あなたの旦那だんなは料理りょうりをしてくれるだけましだ。
My husband doesn't even cook. At least your husband cooks for you.
彼女かのじょの口実こうじつはいいとは言いえませんが、嘘うそをつかないだけましです。
It can't be said that her excuses are good, but at least she doesn't lie.
あの講師こうしの教おしえ方かたは上手じょうずとは言いえないが、黒板こくばんの字じが綺麗きれいなだけましだ。
It can't be said that that lecturer's way of teaching is good, but at least the characters they write on the chalkboard are nice.
仕事しごとは辛つらいかもしれないけど、公務員こうむいんは安定あんていしているだけましだ。
Your job is probably tough, but a public servant's job is stable at least.
少額しょうがくだとしても、お小遣こづかいをもらえるだけましだ。
Even if it is a small amount, you should be grateful you are receiving an allowance.
今日きょうはいつもより寒さむいけど、風かぜが吹ふいていないだけまだましだ。
It is colder than usual today, but at least it's not windy.

Explanation

Mixed up with

「だけましだ」: it has already happened; 'a blessing in disguise'.

「ほうがいい」: plain advice or choice, without the 'could be worse' relief.

Examples

味覚みかくはないかもしれないが、元気げんきなだけましだ。
Although I can't taste, at least I am feeling well.
古ふるい校舎こうしゃだが、冷房れいぼうがあるだけましだ。
The school building is old, but at least it has air conditioning.
ご馳走ちそうとは言いえないが、食たべるものがあるだけましだ。
I can't say that I feasted, but at least I had something to eat.
天気てんきはあまり良よくないが、久ひさしぶりに旅行りょこうに来こられただけましだ。
Although the weather isn't the best, I should be grateful that I am able to travel for the first time in a long time.
あんな大事故だいじこが起おきたのだから、命いのちがあるだけましだ。
Since such a big accident occured, you should be grateful that you are still alive.
泥棒どろぼうに入はいられたが、金庫きんこが無事ぶじなだけましだ。
A robber broke in, but I should be grateful that the safe is intact.
上手じょうずな部員ぶいんはいなくても、部ぶに後輩こうはいがいるだけましです。
Even if there are no skilled members, at least the club has some juniors.
料理りょうりは微妙びみょうでも、裁縫さいほうが上手じょうずなだけましだ。
Even if their cooking is questionable, at least they are good at sewing.
彼かれはやり方かたが強引ごういんですが、暴力ぼうりょくを振ふるわないだけましです。
His way of doing it is overbearing, but you should be grateful that he isn't violent.
私わたしの旦那だんなは料理りょうりもしない。あなたの旦那だんなは料理りょうりをしてくれるだけましだ。
My husband doesn't even cook. At least your husband cooks for you.
彼女かのじょの口実こうじつはいいとは言いえませんが、嘘うそをつかないだけましです。
It can't be said that her excuses are good, but at least she doesn't lie.
あの講師こうしの教おしえ方かたは上手じょうずとは言いえないが、黒板こくばんの字じが綺麗きれいなだけましだ。
It can't be said that that lecturer's way of teaching is good, but at least the characters they write on the chalkboard are nice.
仕事しごとは辛つらいかもしれないけど、公務員こうむいんは安定あんていしているだけましだ。
Your job is probably tough, but a public servant's job is stable at least.
少額しょうがくだとしても、お小遣こづかいをもらえるだけましだ。
Even if it is a small amount, you should be grateful you are receiving an allowance.
今日きょうはいつもより寒さむいけど、風かぜが吹ふいていないだけまだましだ。
It is colder than usual today, but at least it's not windy.