Formal Connectors
Stacking Additional Good or Bad Points
The Japanese grammar pattern 上に, meaning “ue ni,” means "in addition to" or "on top of that." It is used to stack a second related point onto a first point, emphasizing a cumulative effect. Importantly, both parts of the sentence must share the same positive or negative tone, making it perfect for listing reasons why something is exceptionally good or bad.
01Main Functions
Stacking Positive Evaluations
Used to emphasize how good a situation is by adding a positive point directly onto another positive point.
この店は料理がおいしい上に、サービスもいいです。
This restaurant's food is delicious, and on top of that, the service is good.
Stacking Negative Evaluations
Used to emphasize how bad a situation is by adding a negative point directly onto another negative point.
今日は雨が降っている上に、風も強いです。
Today it is raining, and on top of that, the wind is strong.
Describing Cumulative States or Roles
Used to list multiple notable attributes, roles, or states that accumulate and apply to the same person or subject.
彼は優秀な学生である上に、会社も経営しています。
He is an excellent student, and on top of that, (he) also manages a company.
02Sentence Pattern
verb (dictionary form) + 上に
値段が上がる上に、税金も高くなります。
Prices are going up, and on top of that, taxes are getting higher.
Attaches directly to the dictionary form of a verb to add a point about a current or future action.
verb (ta-form) + 上に
道に迷った上に、雨も降ってきました。
(I) got lost on the way, and on top of that, it started raining.
Attaches to the past tense ta-form to show that one event happened and then another related event stacked on top of it.
verb (nai-form) + 上に
彼は謝らない上に、言い訳ばかりしています。
He does not apologize, and on top of that, (he) only makes excuses.
Attaches to the negative nai-form to list multiple negative points or emphasize missing actions.
i-adjective + 上に
このパソコンは軽い上に、使いやすいです。
This laptop is light, and on top of that, it is easy to use.
Attaches directly to i-adjectives to stack two positive or two negative descriptive traits.
na-adjective + な + 上に
彼女はきれいな上に、性格もいいです。
She is pretty, and on top of that, (she) has a good personality.
Requires な between the na-adjective and 上に, just like modifying a regular noun.
na-adjective + である + 上に
この仕事は複雑である上に、危険です。
This job is complicated, and on top of that, it is dangerous.
A more formal or written variation for na-adjectives using である before 上に.
noun + の + 上に
今日は寝不足の上に、熱もあります。
Today (I) have a lack of sleep, and on top of that, (I) also have a fever.
Requires the particle の to link the noun to 上に, often used to describe compounding states or conditions.
noun + である + 上に
彼は有名な俳優である上に、歌手でもあります。
He is a famous actor, and on top of that, (he) is also a singer.
A more formal variation for nouns using である to indicate a compounding identity, profession, or role.
03Example Sentences
彼はよく遅刻する上に、態度も悪いです。
He is often late, and on top of that, (his) attitude is also bad.
Attaches directly to a present-tense verb to stack two negative traits about a person.
この部屋は海が見える上に、静かです。
This room has a view of the ocean, and on top of that, it is quiet.
Stacks two positive aspects of a room using a present-tense verb.
昨日は財布を落とした上に、風邪も引いてしまいました。
Yesterday (I) dropped (my) wallet, and on top of that, (I) also caught a cold.
Uses the past-tense ta-form to list two unfortunate events that stacked up.
欲しかった靴が買えた上に、おまけももらいました。
(I) was able to buy the shoes (I) wanted, and on top of that, (I) also received a free gift.
Uses the past-tense ta-form to express a cumulative positive outcome.
この機械は動かない上に、修理もできません。
This machine does not work, and on top of that, it cannot be repaired either.
Uses the negative nai-form to stack two bad points about an object.
あのスーパーは野菜が安い上に、新鮮です。
That supermarket's vegetables are cheap, and on top of that, (they) are fresh.
Attaches directly to an i-adjective to list multiple good qualities.
今年の夏は暑い上に、雨も多いです。
This year's summer is hot, and on top of that, there is also a lot of rain.
Stacks two negative conditions related to the weather.
田中さんは親切な上に、仕事も早いです。
Mr. Tanaka is kind, and on top of that, (his) work is also fast.
Uses な to connect the na-adjective to 上に, stacking two good personal traits.
このアパートは不便な上に、家賃も高いです。
This apartment is inconvenient, and on top of that, the rent is also high.
Stacks two negative aspects of a living situation.
今日は寝不足の上に、頭も痛いです。
Today (I) have a lack of sleep, and on top of that, (my) head also hurts.
Requires the particle の after the noun to connect two negative physical states.
この手続きは複雑である上に、時間もかかります。
This procedure is complicated, and on top of that, it also takes time.
A slightly more formal way to use a na-adjective before 上に by adding である.
彼女は医者である上に、小説家でもあります。
She is a doctor, and on top of that, (she) is also a novelist.
Uses である to link a noun, listing multiple impressive titles or roles held by the same person.
04Comparisons
上に vs. に加えて
Both can be translated as "in addition to," but に加えて is more objective and neutral. It simply states that one thing is added to another without strong emotional evaluation. 上に, on the other hand, carries the speaker's subjective emphasis, highlighting how exceptionally good or bad a compounding situation is. Furthermore, に加えて does not have the strict "positive + positive" or "negative + negative" constraint that 上に requires.
今日は雨の上に、風も強いです。
Today it is raining, and on top of that, the wind is strong. (Subjective complaint about bad weather stacking up)
英語に加えて、フランス語も勉強しています。
(I) am studying French in addition to English. (Objective statement of fact)
上に vs. ばかりか
Both expressions list additional points, but they emphasize different nuances. 上に simply stacks two related characteristics or events together to show a cumulative effect. ばかりか means "not only... but even," and it implies a progression to an unexpected or extreme degree. ばかりか suggests surprise that the situation escalated so far, while 上に just adds another point of equal logical weight.
彼は遅刻した上に、宿題も忘れた。
He was late, and on top of that, (he) also forgot his homework. (Stacking two negative points)
彼は遅刻したばかりか、先生に文句まで言った。
Not only was he late, but (he) even complained to the teacher! (Escalation to a surprising extreme)
上に vs. それに
Both express "besides" or "moreover," but they function differently grammatically. 上に is a grammatical connector that directly attaches to a verb, adjective, or noun to link two clauses within a single sentence. それに is a conjunction that usually appears at the beginning of a brand new sentence to add an extra thought.
この店は安いうえに、おいしいです。
This restaurant is cheap, and on top of that, it is delicious.
この店は安いです。それに、おいしいです。
This restaurant is cheap. Moreover, it is delicious.
05Nuance and Usage
The defining characteristic of 上に is its subjective, evaluative nature. It does not just passively list facts; it actively builds a case for how exceptionally good or how remarkably bad a situation is. When you use 上に, you are communicating to the listener that the second point makes the situation surprisingly or notably more intense than the first point alone.
Because 上に functions to amplify an evaluation, it strictly requires the "positive + positive" or "negative + negative" constraint. You are piling good traits onto good traits to praise something, or stacking bad situations onto bad situations to complain. If you try to mix a good point with a bad point, the sentence will sound illogical because the compounding effect is broken.
Due to this strong sense of accumulation, 上に pairs naturally with the particle も, meaning “also,” in the second half of the sentence. While not strictly mandatory in every case, replacing subject or object particles like が or を with も helps emphasize that the new piece of information is an added bonus or an extra burden piling up on the main subject.
06Core Explanation
The Japanese grammar pattern 上に, meaning “ue ni,” means "in addition to" or "on top of that."
The Japanese grammar pattern 上に, meaning “ue ni,” is a conjunction used to say "in addition to," "on top of that," or "moreover." It is formed using the kanji for "up" or 上, meaning “above,” giving the visual sense of stacking one piece of information directly on top of another. It helps speakers emphasize a cumulative effect by listing multiple points about the same topic.
The most important rule when using 上に is that both halves of the sentence must share the same evaluative direction. This means you must stack a positive point onto a positive point, or a negative point onto a negative point. You cannot use 上に to mix a good trait with a bad trait. If you want to say a restaurant is cheap (positive) but bad-tasting (negative), you must use a contrasting word like が or けれども, not 上に.
Typically, the subject or the primary topic remains the same across both parts of the sentence. Because 上に emphasizes an accumulation of traits or events surrounding one specific subject, it is natural and very common to use the particle も, meaning “also,” in the second half of the sentence. This highlights the addition of the new information. For example, instead of just saying the wind is strong, you would say the wind is also strong (風も強いです).
When connecting words to 上に, treat it like a noun because 上, meaning “ue,” is originally a noun. Verbs and i-adjectives connect directly in their plain forms (such as present, past, or negative forms). For na-adjectives, you must keep the な (for example, きれいな上に). For nouns, you must use the particle の (for example, 寝不足の上に). In formal or written situations, both nouns and na-adjectives can optionally use である before 上に.
While the expression に加えて, meaning “ni kuwaete,” also means "in addition to," it is more objective and neutral. 上に carries a stronger sense of the speaker's personal evaluation, surprise, or emotional emphasis about how notably good or bad a situation is. Another similar expression, ばかりか, means "not only... but even," which implies the situation escalated to a surprising or unexpected degree, whereas 上に simply stacks two equally valid points together.
07Common Mistakes
Wrong
このパソコンは高い上に、使いやすいです。
Correct
このパソコンは高いですが、使いやすいです。
Why: 上に must connect two items of the same evaluative direction (both positive or both negative). You cannot use it to mix a negative point ("expensive") with a positive point ("easy to use"). You must use a contrastive word like が or けれども instead.
Wrong
彼女は親切上に、頭もいいです。
Correct
彼女は親切な上に、頭もいいです。
Why: Since 上, meaning “ue,” functions grammatically like a noun, you must use な to connect a na-adjective directly to it.
Wrong
今日は雨上に、風も強いです。
Correct
今日は雨の上に、風も強いです。
Why: When attaching a noun directly to 上に, you must use the particle の, just as you would when connecting two regular nouns.
Wrong
彼は学生な上に、会社も経営しています。
Correct
彼は学生である上に、会社も経営しています。
Why: Nouns cannot take な before 上に. They must connect using the particle の (学生の上に) or the formal である (学生である上に). Using な with nouns is a common error in casual speech, but it is grammatically incorrect.
Wrong
私は朝ごはんを食べた上に、学校へ行きました。
Correct
私は朝ごはんを食べてから、学校へ行きました。
Why: 上に is used to stack evaluations or exceptional traits (like saying "not only X, but also Y"). It cannot be used simply to list a chronological sequence of unrelated daily actions.
Wrong
この料理はおいしいです上に、安いです。
Correct
この料理はおいしい上に、安いです。
Why: The word immediately preceding 上に must be in the plain form. You cannot attach polite endings like です or ます directly before 上に.
08Questions
Can I use 上に to say something is cheap but tastes bad?
No. 上に requires both parts of the sentence to have the same evaluative direction (both positive or both negative). To mix a good trait (cheap) and a bad trait (tastes bad), you must use a contrastive word like が or けれども (e.g., 安いですが、まずいです).
Do I have to use も in the second half of the sentence?
While not strictly required by grammar rules, using も, meaning “also,” is highly common and natural. Because 上に focuses on the accumulation of traits or events, も perfectly highlights that extra piece of information piling up on the first point.
What is the difference between noun + の上に and noun + である上に?
Both are grammatically correct, but they differ in formality. Noun + の上に (e.g., 寝不足の上に) is more common in everyday speech and directly links two states. Noun + である上に is a slightly more formal and written style, often used when listing someone's impressive titles or roles (e.g., 医者である上に).
09Mini Practice
- 01
このレストランは（ ）、サービスもいいです。
- 02
彼女は親切（ ）上に、仕事も早いです。
- 03
(Describing a bad hotel) このホテルは古い上に、安いです。
- 04
He is often late, and on top of that, he tells lies.
Tap the pieces in the correct order.
- 05
昨日は財布を（ ）上に、風邪も引いてしまいました。
- 06
今日は寝不足（ ）上に、頭も痛いです。
- 07
(Listing impressive roles of a colleague) 彼は医者である上に、小説家でもあります。
- 08
日本の夏は暑い上に、湿度（ ）高いです。
Summary
Learner Summary
- 上に, meaning “ue ni,” means "in addition to" or "on top of that" and is used to stack multiple points about the same subject.
- It is highly evaluative and must always connect a positive point to a positive point, or a negative point to a negative point.
- Connect plain verbs and i-adjectives directly to 上に.
- Connect na-adjectives using な (e.g., きれいな上に) or である.
- Connect nouns using の (e.g., 寝不足の上に) or である.
- It pairs very naturally with the particle も, meaning “also,” in the second half of the sentence to emphasize the added point.
10Study Map
Study Info
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