Expressions 2

上に ue ni

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Example Sentences

1.

姉は美人な上に、性格も良い。

あねはびじんなうえに、せいかくもよい。

Ane wa bijin na ue ni, seikaku mo yoi.

In addition to being beautiful, my older sister has a good personality.

2.

このレストランは料理が美味しい上に、サービスも素晴らしい。

このれすとらんはりょうりがおいしいうえに、さーびすもすばらしい。

Kono resutoran wa ryouri ga oishii ue ni, saabisu mo subarashii.

Not only is the food delicious at this restaurant, but the service is also excellent.

3.

値段が高い上に、品質も良くない。

ねだんがたかいうえに、ひんしつもよくない。

Nedan ga takai ue ni, hinshitsu mo yokunai.

Not only is it expensive, but the quality isn't good either.

How to Use

「上に」は、ある事柄に加えてさらに別の事柄があることを示す表現です。特に、良い点や悪い点に加えて、さらにもう一つの事柄があるときに使います。

"ue ni" indicates that there is an additional fact or situation on top of what has already been mentioned. It is used to show that something is true in addition to another point or fact.

Main Uses

1. Accumulating Complaints / 不満の積み重ね

  • 「遅刻した上に、宿題も忘れてきた」(ちこくしたうえに、しゅくだいもわすれてきた)

  • "On top of being late, they forgot their homework"

  • Often used to express mounting frustration

  • Emphasizes the accumulation of problems

2. Additional Positive Aspects / 良い点の追加

  • 「頭が良い上に、努力家だ」(あたまがいいうえに、どりょくかだ)

  • "Not only is she smart, but she's also hardworking"

  • Used to praise multiple qualities

  • Shows accumulation of positive traits

3. Emphasizing Circumstances / 状況の強調

  • 「雨の上に、風まで強くなってきた」(あめのうえに、かぜまでつよくなってきた）

  • "On top of the rain, the wind has gotten stronger too"

  • Often used with まで to emphasize the situation

  • Indicates worsening conditions

Connection

  • 動詞普通形 ＋ 上に (Verb plain form + ue ni)

    Ex. 疲れる上に (tsukareru ue ni) - in addition to being tired

  • い形容詞 ＋ 上に (i-adjective + ue ni)

    Ex. 高い上に (takai ue ni) - in addition to being expensive

  • な形容詞 ＋ な ＋ 上に (na-adjective + na + ue ni)

    Ex. 不便な上に (fuben na ue ni) - in addition to being inconvenient

    *Use「な」only in the present affirmative form.

  • 名詞 ＋ の ＋ 上に (Noun + no + ue ni)

    Ex. 失敗の上に (shippai no ue ni) - in addition to the failure

    *Use「の」only in the present affirmative form.

    The negative and past tense forms can also be used

Practice Exercises

1. Japanese to English

  1. なおみは仕事ができる上に、リーダーシップもある。

    なおみはしごとができるうえに、りーだーしっぷもある。

    Naomi wa shigoto ga dekiru ue ni, riidaashippu mo aru.

  2. 仕事が忙しい上に、体調も悪くなってきた。

    しごとがいそがしいうえに、たいちょうもわるくなってきた。

    Shigoto ga isogashii ue ni, taichou mo waruku natte kita.

2. English to Japanese

  1. The apartment is spacious, in addition to being well-located.

  2. Not only is the grammar difficult, but the pronunciation is also complicated.

3. Sentence Making

  1. Fill in the blanks:

    ______上に______。

  2. Make a sentence using “上に" based on the examples and usage patterns given above:

    [Hint: weather, personality, work, study, living conditions…]

Answers

1. Japanese to English

  1. Naomi is not only good at her job but also has leadership skills.

  2. On top of being busy at work, my health has gotten worse.

2. English to Japanese

  1. このアパートは広い上に、立地も良い。

    このあぱーとはひろいうえに、りっちもよい。

    Kono apaato wa hiroi ue ni, ricchi mo yoi.

  2. 文法が難しい上に、発音も複雑だ。

    ぶんぽうがむずかしいうえに、はつおんもふくざつだ。

    Bunpou ga muzukashii ue ni, hatsuon mo fukuzatsu da.

3. Sentence Making (Sample Answers)

  1. 交通が不便な上に、近くに店もない。

    こうつうがふべんなうえに、ちかくにみせもない。

    Koutsuu ga fuben na ue ni, chikaku ni mise mo nai.

    Not only is the transportation inconvenient, but there are no stores nearby.

  2. 素直な上に、ユーモアのセンスもある人だ。

    すなおなうえに、ユーモアのセンスもあるひとだ。

    Sunao na ue ni, yumoa no sensu mo aru hito da.

    Not only is he sincere, but he also has a sense of humor.