Posted inN2 Grammar

Master N2 Grammar: Understanding おまけに (Omake ni)

Posted inN2 Grammar
Japanese Grammar Template
Meaning & Usage

✨ Basic Meaning

“On top of that,” “what’s more,” “furthermore,” “to make matters worse/better.” It adds an extra piece of information that builds upon the previous statement.

🎯 Primary Function

To add an additional, often compounding or intensifying, element to a previously stated condition or situation. It suggests that the new information is an “extra” or “bonus” to what has already been mentioned. While it can be positive, it’s very frequently used to add another negative point, making a situation worse.

📋 Grammar Structure

Verb (Plain Form) + おまけに い-adjective (Plain Form) + おまけに な-adjective (stem) + で + おまけに / な-adjective (な form) + おまけに (less common) Noun + で + おまけに

🎭 Usage Contexts

🏢 Formal Situations

Less common, but acceptable in some written contexts. Not overly formal.

😊 Informal Situations

Quite common in daily conversation to express exasperation or to emphasize a point.

✍️ Written Language

Found in essays, articles, and narratives, especially when detailing a series of events or characteristics.

🗣️ Spoken Language

Frequently used to add emphasis, particularly when complaining or recounting unfortunate events.

💡 Common Applications

Describing a series of unfortunate events
Used to list multiple negative points that accumulate to make a situation worse.
Example: 昨日は雨が降った。おまけに、傘を忘れてびしょ濡れになった。
Piling on positive attributes
Less common, but can be used to add an extra good quality to a person or thing.
Example: 彼女は美人でおまけに頭も良いので、みんなに人気がある。
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📊
Frequency
Moderate. You’ll encounter it regularly in N2-level materials and conversations.
🎚️
Difficulty
N2. The concept is straightforward, but distinguishing its nuance from similar expressions requires practice.
Example Sentences
昨日は雨が降った。おまけに、傘を忘れてびしょ濡れになった。
Yesterday it rained. On top of that, I forgot my umbrella and got soaked.
このパソコンは古いし、おまけに動作が遅い。
This computer is old, and what’s more, it runs slowly.
彼は口が悪い。おまけに、時間にルーズだ。
He has a sharp tongue. To make matters worse, he’s habitually late.
Notes & Nuances

📌 Important Points

Cumulative Effect
「おまけに」 often implies a cumulative effect, where the added information makes the situation significantly worse (or sometimes better).
Example: 今日は仕事が多い。おまけに、残業だ。 (There’s a lot of work today. On top of that, it’s overtime.)
Origin and Function
While it literally comes from 「おまけ」 (a bonus/extra), its grammatical function is primarily to add an *additional* point, often with a negative connotation, though not exclusively.
Example: この携帯は安かった。おまけに、機能も充実している。 (This phone was cheap. And on top of that, it’s full-featured.)

⚠️ Common Mistakes

❌ Using it to connect entirely unrelated ideas.
✅ Ensure the second clause adds to or intensifies the meaning of the first.
「おまけに」 suggests a logical progression or accumulation of facts about the same subject or situation, not just any random connection.
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🏛️ Cultural Context

Politeness Level: Neutral to slightly informal. It’s not typically used in highly formal business reports but is perfectly acceptable in general conversation and less formal writing.
Social Situations: Often used when complaining, lamenting, or describing a series of unfortunate events. Can also be used to praise by listing multiple good qualities, though less common.
Regional Variations: No significant regional variations.

🔍 Subtle Differences

おまけに vs. その上 (sono ue)
「おまけに」 often carries a nuance of “to make matters worse/better” or “as an added bonus/problem,” emphasizing the *extra* nature. 「その上」 is a more neutral “furthermore” or “besides.”
When to use: Use 「おまけに」 when you want to highlight that the second point is an additional, often exasperating or surprising, layer. Use 「その上」 for a more straightforward addition.
おまけに vs. さらに (sara ni)
「さらに」 means “furthermore,” “moreover,” “additionally.” It tends to imply an increase in degree or quantity, or a simple continuation. 「おまけに」 focuses on adding *another distinct item or quality* on top of what’s already present.
When to use: Use 「さらに」 when emphasizing increase or simple sequential addition. Use 「おまけに」 when the second point is an “extra” characteristic or problem added to the first.
おまけに vs. しかも (shikamo)
「しかも」 means “moreover,” “furthermore,” “what’s more,” and often implies that the second point is *even more surprising or remarkable* than the first. It usually connects two surprising facts. 「おまけに」 is about piling on, not necessarily about surprise.
When to use: Use 「しかも」 when the second point is particularly striking or unexpected. Use 「おまけに」 when the second point is just another item in a list of accumulating facts.

📝 Conjugation Notes

It connects to the plain form of verbs and i-adjectives. For na-adjectives and nouns, it is typically preceded by 「で」 (e.g., 綺麗でおまけに, 学生でおまけに). While the な form for na-adjectives is sometimes seen (e.g., 便利な おまけに), the で form is more common and versatile.

🔊 Pronunciation Tips

Pronounced “o-ma-ke-ni”. The “e” in “おまけ” is short, and “に” is standard.

🧠 Memory Tips

Think of 「おまけ」 (omake) as a “bonus” or “extra item.” 「おまけに」 means “as an extra,” or “on top of that.” This helps remember its function of adding more information.

Vocabulary List
雨
ame
rain
降る
furu
to fall (rain, snow)
傘
kasa
umbrella
忘れる
wasureru
to forget
びしょ濡れ
bisho-nure
soaking wet
パソコン
pasokon
personal computer
古い
old
Kanji List
雨
あめ
rain
降
ふ
fall (rain, snow)
傘
かさ
umbrella
忘
わす
forget
古
ふる
old
動
どう
move
作
さ
make
遅
おそ
slow
口
くち
mouth
悪
わる
bad
時
じ
time
Practice Exercises
私は寝坊した。おまけに、______。
A. 電車に乗れた
B. 宿題を忘れてしまった
C. よく眠れた
D. 楽しい一日だった
その映画は長かった。おまけに、______。
A. とても面白かった
B. 内容が難解だった
C. 主役が格好良かった
D. 途中で休憩があった
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