“〜ni kuwaete / ni kuwae”: In Addition To, On Top Of [JLPT N3]
By Nihongo to Japan · Updated July 3, 2026
“Jitsuryoku ni kuwaete, un mo yokatta” — stacking B on top of an existing A
“〜ni kuwaete・〜ni kuwae”: On Top of A, There's Also B (cumulative emphasis)
With 「noun ＋ に加えて」, you stack a second item (B) on top of something you already have (A) — “in addition to A, there's also B.” It's a formal, written-leaning way to pile up advantages or circumstances, e.g. 「実力に加えて、運もよかった」 (on top of skill, luck was on our side too). に加え (without て) is the more compact written form.
🧠 Core nuance: not “either/or,” but “both — and then some”
Learners often confuse it with または (or). But に加えて is addition, not choice: A already holds true, and B is layered on top — both coexist. It carries a “not only that, but even more” emphasis, so it's common when you want to stress that conditions are abundant or a situation is piling up.
📌 How to Connect
| Word type | Pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Noun | noun ＋ に加えて／に加え | 知識に加えて、経験も豊富だ |
| (more written) | noun ＋ に加え | 大雨に加え、強風も予想される |
💬 Example Sentences
- 彼は豊富な知識に加えて、行動力もある。(On top of broad knowledge, he's also a go-getter.) — stacking strengths
- 大雨に加えて、強風も吹いてきた。(In addition to heavy rain, strong winds picked up.) — stacking bad conditions
- 給料が高いことに加えて、福利も充実している。(Besides good pay, the benefits are excellent too.)
- 基本料金に加え、サービス料がかかります。(On top of the base fee, a service charge applies.) — formal notice
- 英語に加えて、中国語も話せる。(In addition to English, I can speak Chinese.)
🔄 Compare: に加えて vs だけでなく vs ばかりか vs うえに
| Expression | Nuance | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 〜に加えて | Written, neutral addition (B on top of A) | 知識に加えて経験もある |
| 〜だけでなく | “not only A, but also B,” spoken & written | 知識だけでなく経験もある |
| 〜ばかりか | “not only A, but even B,” often surprise / escalation | 知識ばかりか経験まである |
| 〜うえに | “and on top of that,” A and B same direction | 安いうえに美味しい |
⚠️ Common Mistakes
- Attaching a dictionary-form verb: ✗ 経験するに加えて → ✓ 経験に加えて (a noun must precede it; nominalize verbs with 〜こと).
- Mixing it up with the verb 加える: に加えて is a fixed pattern (“in addition to”); don't write を加えて (“to add X in,” a different meaning).
- Treating it as either/or: it means both coexist plus more, not “A or B.”
- Switching direction for B: in addition, A and B usually point the same way (both positive or both negative); for contrast use のに / が instead.
💡 Nuance & When to Use
に加えて suits formal, written, explanatory contexts: reports, news, business notices, or introducing yourself by stacking up strengths. It's uncommon in casual chat, where 〜も or 〜だけじゃなくて is preferred. It gives an orderly, “layering up the points” impression — perfect where you want an argument to feel well-supported.
🎯 JLPT Exam Tips
- N3/N2 connection questions: a noun always precedes it — rule out verb options.
- Distinction questions: against だけでなく / ばかりか, pick に加えて for neutral written addition.
- に加え (no て) is the more written synonym, common in news headlines.
🖊️ 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.