Grammar Info

N2 Lesson 2: 2/24

上(うえ)にAs well, Besides, In addition to

Structure

Verb + 上(うえ)(に)
［い］Adjective + 上(うえ)(に)
［な］Adjective + な(1) + 上(うえ)(に)
Noun + の(1) + 上(うえ)(に)


(1) である

Details

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    Standard

About 上に

上(うえ)に is a grammar pattern that functions as a slightly formal way of saying 'and' in Japanese. It shows that something is 'in addition to (A)', 'as well as (A)', or 'besides (A)'. Literally, it simply shows that 'on top of (A), (B)'.

上(うえ)に may be used after that standard form of verbs and い-Adjectives, な-Adjectives followed by な上(うえ)に, and nouns followed by の上(うえ)に. Occasionally, the に may be dropped from this structure, without changing the meaning at all.

When it comes to な-Adjectives and nouns, it is also common to see である上(うえ)に used as a conjugation pattern.

Caution

上(うえ)に must always be used to highlight qualities of things that are equivalent to each other. For example, a good thing and another good thing, or a bad thing and another bad thing.

  • あの建築会社(けんちくがいしゃ)が建(た)てる家(いえ)は丈夫(じょうぶ)な上(うえ)にお洒落(しゃれ)なので、すごく人気(にんき)があるらしい。
    Apparently that building company is very popular right now because the houses they build are durable as well as stylish. (Natural Japanese)
  • 彼(かれ)はハンサムな上(うえ)に失礼(しつれい)だから、あまりモテない。
    He is not very popular because in addition to being handsome, he is rude. (Unnatural Japanese)

Examples

--:--

    そのジムは安(やす)い上(うえ)に、私(わたし)の家(いえ)から近(ちか)い。

    As well as being cheap, that gym is close to my house. (on top of that)

    あの店(みせ)はリフォームした上(うえ)に、メニューも変(か)わったらしい。

    I heard that restaurant changed its menu, in addition to being remodeled. (on top of)

    彼(かれ)はお洒落(しゃれ)な上(うえ)にイケメンだから、モテモテだ。

    Because he is stylish as well as good-looking, he is well-liked. (on top of that)

    今日(きょう)の宿題(しゅくだい)は簡単(かんたん)な上(うえ)に、少(すく)ない。

    In addition to being easy, today's homework load was light. (on top of that)

    あの人(ひと)の説明(せつめい)は、曖昧(あいまい)な上(うえ)に不(ふ)正確(せいかく)だ。

    That person's explanation was vague, as well as inaccurate. (on top of that)

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上に – Grammar Discussion

Most Recent Replies (3 in total)

  • Kert

    Kert

    Can someone help understand the phrase?
    In 彼かれは、怪あやしい上うえに 気持きもち悪わるいから、まずもてない
    What is まずもてない made of?

  • nekoyama

    nekoyama

    まず with a negative verb means something like “hardly”.
    もてる means to be popular, in particular with the opposite sex.

  • Daru

    Daru

    On the reference links, one of them leads to a 日本語の森 private link. Maybe they made it private some time after it was added?

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