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ただでさえ

even at the best of times, already (and now…)

ただでさえ A のに、B

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ただでさえ says that a situation is already difficult even in normal conditions, and then something makes it worse: ただでさえ忙しいのに、また仕事が増えた, "I'm busy enough as it is, and now I've got even more work".

The first half is a normal, ongoing state: busy, cramped, hot, short-staffed. The second half is an extra burden, and the tone is usually a complaint. のに and うえに often join the two halves.

It combines ただ ("ordinary, as it is") with でさえ ("even"). So the feeling is "even in the ordinary state it's X, so now…".

Compare いつも, which just says "always". ただでさえ adds "and now it's even worse".

Examples

  • ただでさえ忙いそがしいのに、また仕事しごとが増ふえた。

    I'm busy enough as it is, and now I've got even more work.

  • ただでさえ狭せまい部屋へやに、大おおきなソファを置おいた。

    We put a big sofa in a room that was already cramped.

  • ただでさえ暑あついのに、エアコンが壊こわれた。

    It's hot enough already, and now the air conditioner's broken.

  • ただでさえ人手ひとでが足たりないのに、二人ふたりも休やすんだ。

    We're short-staffed at the best of times, and two people are off.

  • 彼かれはただでさえ声こえが大おおきいのに、酔ようともっとうるさくなる。

    He's loud enough normally, and he gets even louder when he's drunk.

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