“ni kuwaete” Meaning — In Addition to 〜 [JLPT N3]

Content by NTJ Kuma · Nihongo to Japan editorial team · Updated July 27, 2026

“On top of skill, luck too” — adding one thing on top of another, with examples. (JLPT N3)

「知識に加えて、行動力もある」 — 「に加えて」, in addition to A, also B

「彼は豊富な知識に加えて、行動力もある」 (in addition to broad knowledge, he also has drive) — 「noun ＋ に加えて／に加え」 means adding another item (B) on top of what's already there (A): “besides A, also B.” It's addition, not choice (both A and B hold, plus one more). This guide covers 「に加えて」's attachment, that “both hold, and one more added” feel, and separates it from 「だけでなく／うえに」.

Core: not either/or, but “both hold, and one more added”

Many confuse it with 「または (or)」, but 「に加えて」 is addition, not choice — A already holds, and B stacks on top (both hold):

• Stacking merits/conditions: 彼は知識に加えて、行動力もある (besides knowledge, he also has drive).
• Stacking factors (often negative): 大雨に加えて、風も強くなってきた (besides heavy rain, the wind has picked up too).

Feel: “on top of A, add B (both hold)” — accumulating, stressing “not only A, but also B,” more formal/written.

How to Connect

Examples in use

• 彼は豊富な知識に加えて、行動力もある。(In addition to broad knowledge, he also has drive.) — stacking merits
• ビタミンCに加えて、亜鉛も摂取した方がいい。(Besides vitamin C, it's good to take zinc too.) — health advice
• 大雨に加えて、風も強くなってきた。(Besides heavy rain, the wind has picked up too.) — stacking (negative)
• 基本給に加えて、ボーナスも支給される。(In addition to base pay, a bonus is also paid.) — addition
• この店は味に加えて、雰囲気もいい。(This shop, besides the taste, also has a good atmosphere.) — stacking

⚠️ Common mistakes to avoid

① It takes a noun, not a verb dictionary form. ✗ 経験するに加えて → ✓ 経験に加えて (a noun is needed). 「に加えて」 takes a noun; to attach an action, nominalize it (経験する→経験, 努力する→努力). Rule out verb options first (a common exam trap).

② Don't drop the particle 「に」. Chinese “加上” needs no particle, so learners often drop the 「に」: ✗ 経験加えて → ✓ 経験に加えて. It's 「(noun) ＋ に ＋ 加えて」; 「に」 can't be omitted. Remember: noun に加えて.

③ 「に加えて」 (addition, A plus B) vs 「または」 (or, either/or). に加えて = addition (both A and B hold) (知識に加えて行動力も = both knowledge and drive); または = choice (A or B, pick one) (電話またはメール = phone or email, pick one). に加えて is “both hold (plus one more),” または is “either/or” — completely different; don't mix them.

🔄 Compare with similar forms: に加えて／だけでなく／ばかりか／うえに

💡 Learning tip

「に加えて・に加え」 means “adding B on top of the existing A” — it's addition, not choice (both A and B hold, plus one more) (知識に加えて行動力もある = besides knowledge, also drive; 大雨に加えて風も = besides heavy rain, wind too). It suits formal, written, expository settings (reports, news, business explanations, stressing strengths in a self-introduction). Three points: ① it takes a noun (✗ verb dictionary form — nominalize); ② don't drop the particle 「に」 (noun に加えて); ③ don't confuse it with 「または (or, either/or)」 — に加えて is “both hold,” または is “either/or.” It can also stand at the head of a sentence as a conjunction (「加えて、〜」 = moreover). To formally stress “not only A, but also B,” に加えて is spot-on.

❓ Common questions

Q: How do I tell 「に加えて」 from 「だけでなく」? (both ‘not only … but also …')

Very close (both the addition “besides A, also B”), differing in feel and formality. 「に加えて」 = ‘adding' B on top of A (stressing ‘accumulation, stacking,' more formal/written, like adding B onto A): 円安に加えて、原材料費の高騰も経営を圧迫している (besides the weak yen, soaring raw-material costs also squeeze management — stacking two negative factors, formal), 彼は語学力に加えて、リーダーシップもある (besides language skills, he also has leadership — stacking strengths). It's like mathematical addition (A＋B), more formal and weighty. 「だけでなく」 = not only A, but also B (stressing ‘not just A,' works in speech and writing, most common): この街は交通が便利なだけでなく、家賃も安い (this town is not only conveniently located but also cheap in rent), 彼は英語だけでなく、中国語も話せる (he speaks not only English but also Chinese). It's more colloquial, versatile. So: formal, written “on top of A, add B (accumulate)” → に加えて; general, colloquial “not only A, but also B” → だけでなく. Often interchangeable (知識に加えて／知識だけでなく), but に加えて is more formal with a “stacking” weight, だけでなく more everyday. Reports and news use に加えて, chat uses だけでなく.

Q: Can 「に加えて」 take a verb? What should precede it?

It can't directly take a verb dictionary form — a noun is needed. The correct attachment is 「noun ＋ に加えて」: 経験に加えて (besides experience, ✗ 経験するに加えて), 知識に加えて, 大雨に加えて. If you want to express an “action,” first nominalize the verb: 努力する→努力に加えて (besides effort), 投資する→投資に加えて (besides investment), 値上げする→値上げに加えて (besides the price hike). Or use a pattern that takes verbs, e.g., 「〜うえに」 (verb plain form ＋ うえに: 働いたうえに), 「〜だけでなく」 (verb plain form ＋ だけでなく: 働くだけでなく). So before 「に加えて」 there's always a noun; verbs must be nominalized. Exams set traps in attachment questions: rule out verb dictionary-form options (✗ 経験するに加えて), choose the noun (○ 経験に加えて). Mnemonic: noun ＋ に加えて (nominalize verbs first).

🖊️ Practice Quiz

Q1. 「彼は知識___、行動力もある。」(besides knowledge, he also has drive)

(A) に加えて　(B) において　(C) について　(D) にとって

Q2. What comes before 「に加えて」?

(A) A noun　(B) Verb て-form　(C) い-adjective stem　(D) A question word

Q3. What does 「大雨に加えて風も強い」 mean?

(A) On top of heavy rain, the wind is strong too (addition)

(B) Either heavy rain or strong wind

(C) Heavy rain but no wind

(D) No wind because of the rain

Q4. What is the nuance of 「に加えて」?

(A) Adding B on top of A (written addition)

(B) Contrast

(C) Condition

(D) Purpose

Q5. Which connection is correct?

(A) 経験に加えて、知識も豊富だ。　(B) 経験するに加えて。

(C) 経験に加えてだ。　(D) 経験を加えてに。

Answer Key

1. (A) に加えて ── drive on top of knowledge (addition).

2. (A) A noun ── it follows a noun.

3. (A) ── strong wind added on top of heavy rain.

4. (A) ── stacking B on top of A.

5. (A) ── “noun ＋ に加えて” is correct.