Grammar Info

N2 Lesson 2: 8/24

その(うえ)

Besides, In addition, Furthermore

Structure Legend

Structure

その(うえ) + Phrase

Details

  • Register

    Formal

  • 使用域

    硬い

About その上

その(うえ) is a formal expression used in Japanese to indicate that something is 'besides', 'in addition to', or 'furthermore' in relation to the previous statement. It primarily comes at the beginning of sentences before reflecting back on and adding new information in regard to what has already been said.
The literal meaning can be thought of as 'on top of that (B)', where 'that' is the information that has already been mentioned.
  • 高橋(たかはし)さんはとても(あたま)がいい。その(うえ)人柄(ひとがら)もいいので会社(かいしゃ)での評判(ひょうばん)がいいです。
    Takahashi-san is very smart. Furthermore, he has a very good personality so he has a very good reputation in the company.
  • (いま)()んでいる(いえ)はものすごく(ちい)さい。その(うえ)(となり)()んでいる住人(じゅうにん)一日(いちにち)(じゅう)うるさいので、来月(らいげつ)()()そうと(おも)う。
    The house I live in now is extremely small. In addition, the people who live next door are noisy all day long, so I'm thinking of moving out next month.
  • 今日(きょう)学校(がっこう)先生(せんせい)(おこ)られた。その(うえ)(いえ)(かえ)ったら(おや)(おこ)られたのであまりいい一日(いちにち)ではなかった。
    I was scolded by my teacher at school today. In addition, I was scolded by my parents when I came home, so it was not a very good day today.
Despite often being used in formal settings, it is not uncommon to hear this phrase used in daily speech, due to its simplicity in highlighting something being 'in addition'.

Examples

  • 昨日(きのう)(よる)(おそ)まで()(もの)をしてしまった。その(うえ)(あさ)(はや)から電話(でんわ)()こされたのでとても(ねむ)です。

    I stayed up late last night knitting. Furthermore, I was woken up early by a phone call so I am really tired.

  • 今日(きょう)とても(さむ)かった。その(うえ)(あめ)まで()ってきたので屋外(おくがい)アルバイト大変(たいへん)だった。

    It was very cold today. In addition, it decided to rain so my outdoor part time job was really rough.

  • 美味(おい)しい料理(りょうり)をごちそうになってしまって。その(うえ)土産(みやげ)までいただいて。本当(ほんとう)に、ありがとうございます

    I was treated to some great food. Furthermore, I was also given a souvenir. Thank you so much!

  • (かお)青白(あおじろ)い。その(うえ)(くちびる)(むらさき)だ。大丈夫(だいじょうぶ)だろうか?

    His face is pale. Furthermore, his lips are purple. Is he okay, I wonder?

  • (かれ)(いさ)ましい。その(うえ)(やさ)しいだから()ことない。

    He is brave. In addition, he is kind, so there isn't anything to say.

  • Get more example sentences!

    Premium users get access to 12 example sentences on all Grammar Points.

Self-Study Sentences

Study your own way!

Add sentences and study them alongside Bunpro sentences.

  • Online


  • Offline

    • Tobira

      Page 170

  • Track Resources!

    Bunpro tracks all of the resources you’ve visited, and offers relevant bookmarks of physical books to help with offline tracking.

その上 – Grammar Discussion

Most Recent Replies (7 in total)

  • FredKore

    FredKore

    About 2 years ago

    hmm… Sorry, I’m still not following. These sound so similar.

    The English translations use the same words:
    なお = in addition, incidentally, furthermore, moreover
    その上 = besides, in addition, furthermore

    The structures are the same:
    Phrase1. なお 、+ Phrase2
    その上 + Phrase
    Every example in Bunpro uses two phrases, so even though その上 doesn’t say Phrase1, there’s always a Phrase1.

    They’re both in the formal register.

    How do I distinguish these two from each other?

  • mrnoone

    mrnoone

    About 2 years ago

    Hey @FredKore
    I tried to describe it a bit, I hope it will be understandable.

    So when なお is used as an adverb meaning “even more” or “still” it can be replaced with そのうえ.

    彼女は綺麗で、そのうえ、あたまもいい。
    彼女は綺麗で、なお、あたまもいい。
    She is pretty and on top of that smart.

    On the other hand, when なお is used as a conjunction it cannot really be replaced with そのうえ because they are used in different situations.

    そのうえ introduces some additional, similar statement with emphasis. For example, can be used to describe two situations, states, reasons. Notice that clause following そのうえ often contains “も” or “まで”.

    昨日は夜遅くまで編み物をしてしまった。その上、朝早くから電話で起こされたのでとても眠いです。
    I stayed up late last night knitting. Furthermore (on top of that) , I was woken up early by a phone call so I am re...

  • FredKore

    FredKore

    About 2 years ago

    Thank you for the detailed reply!

Got questions about その上? Join us to discuss, ask, and learn together!

Join the Discussion