Japanese word

まし

Pronunciation

Romajimashi

Meaning

  • na-adjectivebetter

Example

赤いほうがましです。aka i hō ga ma shi de su

The red one is better.

Illustration for まし (better)

More examples

高いですが、長く使えるのでましです。taka i de su ga naga ku tsuka e ru no de ma shi de su

It is expensive, but it is better because it will last a long time.

Core concept

まし (mashi) marks a choice as having fewer disadvantages than its alternative, so it is preferable even when it is not ideal.

Common phrases

  • 思ったよりましomo tta yo ri ma shi

    better than expected

  • まだましma da ma shi

    still better

Definition in Japanese

他の選択肢よりも好ましいが、十分によいとは限らないさま。hoka no sen taku shi yo ri mo kono ma shi i ga jū bun ni yo i to wa kagi ra na i sa ma

Word origin

まし (mashi, "better") is associated with 増し (mashi, "increase"), from 増す (masu, "to increase"), and came to describe something considered greater or more favorable in comparison.

Usage tips

  • In everyday conversation, まし (mashi) can make praise sound restrained, as in 赤いほうがましです (akai hō ga mashi desu), which prefers the red one without calling it good.

Other meanings

  • less objectionablena-adjective

Opposites

Related words

  • ましさmashisarelative superioritynoun

Word lists with this word