〜上(に)
ue ni
By Nihongo PathUpdated
Meaning
in addition to, on top of
〜上(に) means "in addition to, on top of". It stacks a second fact on the first: cheap, and moreover delicious; got lost, and on top of that it rained. The two facts must point in the same direction, both good or both bad.
Both registers, a little more formal than 〜し or 〜だけでなく. Common in evaluations, complaints and product descriptions. The clause after 上に often contains も (料理もおいしい, 雨まで降ってきた) to signal the addition.
Formation
V = verb, N = noun, A = adjective.
V普通形 + 上(に) / Aい + 上に / Aな + な + 上に / N + の/である + 上に
Visual diagram
| Aspect | First fact | 上に | Added fact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Positive | 安い | 上に | 料理もおいしい |
| Negative | 道に迷った | 上に | 雨まで降ってきた |
| Not allowed | 安い | 上に | ×まずい (mixed polarity) |
Natural examples
この店は安い上に、料理もおいしい。
このみせはやすいうえに、りょうりもおいしい。
This restaurant is cheap, and on top of that the food is good.
い-adjective + 上に, both facts positive.
道に迷った上に、雨まで降ってきた。
みちにまよったうえに、あめまでふってきた。
On top of getting lost, it even started to rain.
Vた + 上に, both facts negative; まで adds "even".
彼は親切な上に、仕事もできる。
かれはしんせつなうえに、しごともできる。
He is kind, and moreover competent at his job.
な-adjective + な + 上に.
この薬は効き目が遅い上に、副作用もある。
このくすりはききめがおそいうえに、ふくさようもある。
This medicine is slow to take effect, and on top of that it has side effects.
Complaint stacking two drawbacks.
彼女は優秀である上に、努力家でもある。
かのじょはゆうしゅうであるうえに、どりょくかでもある。
She is excellent, and moreover a hard worker.
N/Aな + である + 上に is the formal written form.
Similar grammar and the difference
Neutral "not only"; polarity can mix more freely and it is more colloquial. Compare side by side
"Not only… but even", with a stronger escalation to something surprising. Compare side by side
Different meaning: "after doing / in the context of". Watch the particle: 上に adds, 上で sequences. Compare side by side
Common mistakes
- ✗
- この店は安い上に、まずい。
- ✓
- この店は安いが、まずい。
- Why
- 上に cannot join a plus and a minus; both facts must have the same polarity.
- ✗
- 彼は親切上に、仕事もできる。
- ✓
- 彼は親切な上に、仕事もできる。
- Why
- な-adjectives need な (or である) before 上に.
- ✗
- 遅刻した上に、謝りなさい。
- ✓
- 遅刻した上に、謝りもしなかった。
- Why
- The second clause states an added fact, not a command or request.
Nouns take の or である: 学生の上に / 学生である上に. The second clause frequently uses も, まで, さえ to mark the addition. 上に can be shortened to 上 in written style: 安い上、料理もおいしい.
JLPT N2 tips
On the exam
- Check polarity first: if the two halves are both good or both bad and the second has も or まで, 上に is likely.
- The main distractor is 上で. Sequence or condition (読んだ上で決める) = 上で; addition = 上に.
- Another distractor is 〜ながら; a contrast (although) rules out 上に.
Frequently asked questions
What does 〜上(に) mean?
in addition to, on top of. 〜上(に) means "in addition to, on top of". It stacks a second fact on the first: cheap, and moreover delicious; got lost, and on top of that it rained. The two facts must point in the same direction, both good or both bad.
How do you form 〜上(に)?
V普通形 + 上(に) / Aい + 上に / Aな + な + 上に / N + の/である + 上に. V = verb, N = noun, A = adjective.
When is 〜上(に) used?
Both registers, a little more formal than 〜し or 〜だけでなく. Common in evaluations, complaints and product descriptions. The clause after 上に often contains も (料理もおいしい, 雨まで降ってきた) to signal the addition.
What is the difference between 〜上(に) and 〜だけでなく?
Neutral "not only"; polarity can mix more freely and it is more colloquial.
What is the difference between 〜上(に) and 〜ばかりか?
"Not only… but even", with a stronger escalation to something surprising.
What is a common mistake with 〜上(に)?
Wrong: この店は安い上に、まずい。 Right: この店は安いが、まずい。 上に cannot join a plus and a minus; both facts must have the same polarity.
Quick check
このアパートは駅から遠い（ ）、家賃も高い。