better; preferable; less bad
Used when comparing options, implying that something is not ideal but is better than the alternative. Often used in the pattern ～よりマシ or ～だけマシ.
It's better than doing nothing.
この店のラーメンはまずいけど、あの店よりはマシ。
The ramen here is bad, but it's better than the one at that shop.
Attaches to nouns to indicate an increased amount or degree. Common in compounds like 一人増し (one more person) or 倍増し (double the amount).
料金は一人増しで千円高くなる。
The fee increases by 1,000 yen per additional person.
Archaic noun meaning increase or growth. Not used in modern Japanese outside of historical contexts or set phrases.
古文書には「人口の増し」という表現が見られる。
In old documents, the expression '人口の増し' (increase in population) can be found.
It's better to try than to do nothing.
At least it's not raining, which is something.
My current boss is better than that other one.
マシ also means 'better' but implies 'less bad' among undesirable options, whereas ベター is a neutral comparative used for genuinely good choices.
building addition; extension; annex
increasing daily; day by day · foodstuffs left out for many days
reprinting; additional printing
retightening; additional tightening
day by day; with each passing day