JapaneseJLPT
JLPT N3 grammar · Chapter 17

～上に

On top of that, another related fact is true

You’ll be able to strengthen a description by adding another fact pointing in the same positive or negative direction.

Illustration of the scene described by On top of having delicious food, this roadside station's view is also wonderful.
Read it first

この道みちの駅えきは料理りょうりが美味おいしい上うえに、景色けしきも素晴すばらしい。

kono michi no eki wa ryouri ga oishii ue ni, keshiki mo subarashii.

What do you think this sentence means?

On top of having delicious food, this roadside station's view is also wonderful.

Why it means that

Add another fact in the same direction

～上うえに means "on top of that" or "not only... but also...". It reinforces a description by piling on an additional fact that shares the same positive or negative quality.

Examples

田中たなかさんは優やさしい上うえに、話はなしも面白おもしろい。

tanaka san wa yasashii ue ni, hanashi mo omoshiroi.

Tanaka-san is kind, and on top of that, fun to talk to.

今日きょうは疲つかれた上うえに、お腹なかも空すいた。

kyou wa tsukareta ue ni, onaka mo suita.

Today I am tired, and on top of that I am hungry.

How it is built

Attach 上に to plain forms

Attach 上うえに to plain forms of verbs, い-adjectives, な-adjectives (using な or である), or nouns (using の or である). Both facts must be in the same direction (both good or both bad).

plain form+上に
Example

昨日きのうは雨あめが降ふった上うえに、風かぜも強つよくて大変たいへんだった。

kinou wa ame ga futta ue ni, kaze mo tsuyokute taihen datta.

On top of the rain yesterday, the wind was also strong and it was miserable.

Compare

～上に vs ～反面

～上に adds a second fact in the same direction: good and good, or bad and bad. ～反面 turns to the other side: good but bad, or bad but good.

  • ～上に, on top of that

    この部屋へやは広ひろい上うえに、明あかるい。

    kono heya wa hiroi ue ni, akarui.

    This room is spacious, and bright on top of that.

    Both facts are good.

  • ～反面, but on the other side

    この部屋へやは広ひろい反面はんめん、暗くらい。

    kono heya wa hiroi hanmen, kurai.

    This room is spacious, but on the other hand it is dark.

    One good fact, one bad fact.

Examples

このアパートは古ふるい上うえに、冬ふゆは部屋へやの中なかもとても寒さむい。

kono apaato wa furui ue ni, fuyu wa heya no naka mo totemo samui.

This apartment is old, and on top of that, it’s very cold even inside in winter.

新あたらしい先生せんせいは教おしえ方かたが上手じょうずな上うえに、質問しつもんにも丁寧ていねいに答こたえてくれる。

atarashii sensei wa oshiekata ga jouzu na ue ni, shitsumon ni mo teinei ni kotaete kureru.

The new teacher explains things well, and on top of that, they answer questions carefully.

今日きょうは財布さいふを忘わすれた上うえに、スマホも家いえに置おいてきてしまった。

kyou wa saifu o wasureta ue ni, sumaho mo ie ni oite kite shimatta.

Today I forgot my wallet, and on top of that, I left my phone at home too.

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