Meaning & Usage
✨ Basic Meaning
“In addition to that,” “on top of that,” “furthermore,” “moreover.” It indicates that the following statement adds a new piece of information or consequence to the preceding one.
🎯 Primary Function
To present additional information that builds upon or adds to the previously stated fact or situation. It often implies a cumulative effect, whether positive or negative.
📋 Grammar Structure
Sentence A. その上 (Sono Ue)、Sentence B.
(Sentence A. In addition, Sentence B.) その上 functions as a conjunctive adverb, linking two sentences or clauses. It is typically preceded by a full stop (。) or a comma (、) if the preceding clause is relatively short, and then その上 begins the new clause or or sentence.
🎭 Usage Contexts
Formal Situations
Commonly used in formal writing, speeches, and presentations to logically connect ideas and build arguments.
Informal Situations
Can be used in spoken language, especially when explaining something or elaborating on a point in a structured manner. It’s not overly casual.
Written Language
Very frequently encountered in essays, reports, newspaper articles, and business communications.
Spoken Language
Used to add details or reinforce points in conversations, interviews, or lectures.
💡 Common Applications
Listing multiple reasons or characteristics.
Used to add another reason, quality, or condition to a previously mentioned one, often emphasizing the accumulation.
Example: 彼は頭が良い。その上、努力家だ。 (He is smart. On top of that, he’s a hard worker.)
Describing an escalating situation.
Can show how a situation progresses or worsens/improves by adding another layer.
Example: 今日は雨が降った。その上、風も強かった。 (It rained today. Furthermore, the wind was strong too.)
Adding extra details or consequences.
Used to introduce an additional detail or an unexpected consequence of the preceding statement.
Example: 彼は時間に正確だ。その上、仕事も速い。 (He is punctual. What’s more, his work is fast.)
Frequency
Moderately frequent, especially in written and semi-formal spoken contexts where clear logical connections are desired.
Difficulty
JLPT N2. Learners should be comfortable with various conjunctive expressions.
Example Sentences
このレストランは美味しい。その上、値段も手頃だ。
This restaurant is delicious. On top of that, the prices are reasonable too.
彼は日本語がペラペラだ。その上、英語も話せる。
He is fluent in Japanese. Furthermore, he can speak English too.
昨夜はよく眠れなかった。その上、朝から頭痛がする。
I couldn’t sleep well last night. On top of that, I’ve had a headache since morning.
Notes & Nuances
📌 Important Points
Adds extra information.
その上 is used to add a piece of information that is supplementary to what has already been stated. It’s not just “and,” but rather “and in addition to that.”
Example: 彼の説明は分かりやすかった。その上、具体的な例も挙げてくれた。 (His explanation was easy to understand. On top of that, he also gave concrete examples.)
Can express accumulation (positive or negative).
It highlights that a situation is building up or that qualities are accumulating, whether it’s a series of good things or a series of bad things.
Example: 試験は難しかった。その上、時間も足りなかった。 (The exam was difficult. Furthermore, there wasn’t enough time.)
⚠️ Common Mistakes
❌ Using その上 for simple conjunctions where 「そして」or 「と」 would suffice.
✅ Use その上 when the second piece of information truly *adds* something significant or builds upon the first, not just listing two items.
「そして」 or 「と」 are for simple sequential or parallel connections. その上 implies an additional layer of information.
❌ Confusing it with a cause-and-effect relationship.
✅ その上 expresses addition, not causation.
It doesn’t mean “because of that,” but “in addition to that.” For cause-and-effect, you’d use something like 「そのため」or 「したがって」.
🏛️ Cultural Context
Politeness Level: Relatively neutral to slightly formal. It’s suitable for most general conversations and professional settings, especially when explaining or presenting information.
Social Situations: Often used in presentations, discussions, news reports, or when giving a detailed description. Less common in very casual, intimate conversations.
Regional Variations: Not significant regional variations for this phrase.
🔍 Subtle Differences
その上 vs. しかも (shikamo)
その上 simply adds information. しかも often adds information that is *unexpected*, *surprising*, or *emphasizes an additional, often negative, aspect*. しかも can also mean “and yet/moreover.”
When to use: Use その上 for straightforward additions. Use しかも when the added information is surprising or intensifies the previous statement (e.g., “it was expensive, *and* it broke quickly!”).
その上 vs. 加えて (kuwaete)
加えて is generally more formal and often used in writing, meaning “in addition to.” It can sometimes be used with nouns followed by 「に加えて」. その上 is more broadly used as a conjunctive adverb.
When to use: Use 加えて in highly formal or academic contexts, or when explicitly saying “in addition *to X*.” その上 is suitable for general additive statements.
その上 vs. さらに (sara ni)
さらに means “furthermore,” “moreover,” or “still more.” It often implies an increase in degree, quantity, or a continuation of an action/state. その上 specifically adds another *distinct* piece of information.
When to use: Use さらに when something is “more so” or “continues further.” Use その上 when a new, separate point is being added on top of the first.
📝 Conjugation Notes
その上 is a conjunctive adverb, so it does not conjugate. It always appears in this form.
🔊 Pronunciation Tips
「そのうえ」 (sono ue). The の (no) and 上 (ue) blend naturally. The pitch accent is typically on the ‘o’ of ‘sono’ and ‘e’ of ‘ue’ in isolation, but in a sentence, it flows with the preceding clause.
🧠 Memory Tips
Think of 「上 (ue)」 as “on top.” So, 「その上」 literally means “on top of that (situation/thing).” This visual can help you remember its meaning of “in addition to” or “furthermore.”
Vocabulary List
日本語
nihongo
Japanese language
ペラペラ
perapera
fluent (adverb, often used for languages)
英語
eigo
English language
昨夜
sakuya
last night
眠る
nemuru
to sleep
朝
asa
morning
頭痛
headache
Kanji List
上
うえ
above, on, top
日
に、び
day, sun
本
ほん
book, origin
語
ご
language, word
英
えい
England, hero
昨
さく
last (e.g., last night)
夜
よる、や
night
眠
ねむ
sleep
朝
あさ
morning
頭
あたま、ず
head
痛
いた
pain
Practice Exercises
彼は日本語を上手に話す。＿＿＿、日本の文化にも詳しい。
その上
しかし
だから
なぜなら
このホテルは駅から近い。＿＿＿、部屋も広くて快適だ。
一方で
その上
そして
つまり
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