The difference between “より~ほうが“ and “まだしも“

September 7, 2020

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They are used when comparing different options, but the sentence structure and nuance are different.

“より~ほうが“ means “more than“. It is used as “v1/n1/adj1 + より+  v2/n2/adj2 + ほうが“.
It is used when you give two options and say that one(v2/n2/adj2) is better than the other one(v1/n1/adj1).

“まだしも“ means “would be better“. It is used as "v1/n1/adj1+ (なら/は)まだしも、+  v2/n2/adj2".
It is used when you give two options and even if both are not good options, you mention that at least one(v1/n1/adj1) is acceptable/better. It is used to emphasize that the other one(v2/n2/adj2) is not acceptable.
If you're interested in "まだしも", please click HERE

Ken and Leo are choosing what they want to eat for lunch at the restaurant.

  • Ken: What do you suggest?
    今日のお薦めは何ですか?
  • Waiter: I recommend you to try the hamburger or the steak.
    ハンバーガーかステーキはいかがですか?

  • Leo: I like the steak more than the hamburger. How about you, Ken?
    [OK]ハンバーガーよりステーキのほうがいいな。ケンは?
    [NG]ステーキならまだしもハンバーガーはいらないな。ケンは?
  • Ken: I’m not so hungry. Is it okay just to order a drink?
    そんなにお腹が空いていないんだ。飲み物だけ、頼めますか?
  • Waiter: I’m afraid not sir, but we serve drinks only with meals.
    すみませんが、お食事と一緒に(お飲み物を)ご注文頂きます。

  • Ken: All right. Let me see... I could eat a light meal, but I can’t get a heavy meal.
    [OK]わかりました。えっと...軽い物ならまだしも、重い物は食べれないな。
    [OK]わかりました。えっと...重い物より、軽い物のほうがいいな。
  • Waiter: How about a chicken or a fish sandwich?
    チキンサンドイッチかフィッシュサンドイッチは、いかがですか?
  • Ken: Sounds nice. I prefer fish to chicken. Can I have the fish sandwich with a coffee?
    [OK]いいね。鶏肉より魚のほうが好きだな。フィッシュサンドイッチとコーヒーを下さい。
    [NG]いいね。魚ならまだしも鶏肉は好きじゃない。フィッシュサンドイッチとコーヒーを下さい。
  • Waiter: Right away.
    かしこまりました。

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