ならまだしも (nara-mada-shimo): If it were only; might be acceptable for
～ならまだしも (nara-mada-shimo)
Meaning
If it were only; might be acceptable for
Formation and usage
N／plain clause + ならまだしも
Notation: N = noun; V dictionary = dictionary-form verb; V stem = the stem before ます; plain clause = plain-form clause; negative stem = the form before ない. Follow the attachment shown above.
Explanation
Contrasts a milder, possibly tolerable case with a more serious actual one.
Examples
会議が一時間ならまだしも、五時間も続くのはつらい。
An hour might be bearable, but five hours of the meeting is exhausting.
試験が一時間ならまだしも、五時間も続くのはつらい。
An hour might be bearable, but five hours of the exam is exhausting.
研修が一時間ならまだしも、五時間も続くのはつらい。
An hour might be bearable, but five hours of the training session is exhausting.
発表会が一時間ならまだしも、五時間も続くのはつらい。
An hour might be bearable, but five hours of the presentation event is exhausting.
面接が一時間ならまだしも、五時間も続くのはつらい。
An hour might be bearable, but five hours of the interview is exhausting.
How related patterns differ
にかけては evaluates ability in a field; にかかっては puts matters in someone's hands. ならいざ知らず and ならまだしも contrast an understandable case with a problematic one. に限ったことではない extends the scope, while というところだ estimates a limit.