Grammar › Perspective & Scope
上に(うえに) — “on top of, in addition to”
Piles a second fact on top of a first, in the same direction (both good or both bad)
Plain form (or na-adj + な / noun + の) + 上に adds a second fact that reinforces the first, in the same direction — both positive, or both negative — “on top of X, there's also Y.” Unlike 一方で (which shows a contrast), 上に stacks facts that point the same way.
How to form it
| Pattern | Example |
|---|---|
| Plain form + 上に | 頭がいい上に、性格も優しい — On top of being smart, he's also kind |
Example sentences
| Japanese | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| この店は安い上に、味もいい。 | このみせはやすいうえに、あじもいい。 konomisehayasuiueni、ajimoii。 | On top of being cheap, this restaurant's food is good too. |
| 雨が降っている上に、風も強い。 | あめがふっているうえに、かぜもつよい。 amegafutteiruueni、kazemotsuyoi。 | On top of the rain, the wind is strong too. |
| 彼は忙しい上に、体調も悪いらしい。 | かれはいそがしいうえに、たいちょうもわるいらしい。 karehaisogashiiueni、taichoumowaruirashii。 | On top of being busy, he's apparently not feeling well either. |
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Watch out
上に needs both facts pointing the same way (both good, or both bad) — mixing a positive and a negative fact with 上に reads oddly; use が or のに if the two facts actually contrast.