“Sono ue・Sara ni・Shikamo”: Comparing Additive/Escalating Expressions [JLPT N3]
By Nihongo to Japan · Updated July 3, 2026
An in-depth look at Japanese additive expressions, so you'll never confuse them again.
“Sono ue・Sara ni・Shikamo”: Comparing Additive/Escalating Expressions
These three all mean “moreover, on top of that, what's more” — adding another same-direction item beyond the first, but with different nuances: その上 = ‘on top of that, moreover' (cumulative addition, often a stacking of troubles or benefits): 「仕事で失敗した。その上、上司に注意された」 (I failed at work. On top of that, I got reprimanded by my boss); さらに = ‘furthermore, in addition' (a further escalation of degree, an addition): 「技術はさらに向上している」 (the technology is improving further); しかも = ‘what's more, and' (an addition with surprise, emphasis): 「このスマホは性能がいい。しかもデザインも美しい!」 (this phone performs well. What's more, the design is beautiful too!). ⚠️ その上 = cumulative stacking, さらに = escalation of degree, しかも = surprised emphasis.
🧠 Core nuance: adding another same-direction item beyond the first
The core is adding a same-direction B beyond A (escalating, cumulative), but the three differ in emphasis: ① その上 — ‘on top of that, moreover' (stacking another item on the first, often stacking troubles or benefits: 失敗した。その上注意された = failed and on top of that got reprimanded, 安い。その上おいしい = cheap and on top of that delicious), stressing cumulation, stacking; ② さらに — ‘furthermore, in addition' (a further escalation of degree or addition of quantity: さらに向上 = improve further, さらに2つ追加 = add 2 more), stressing escalation of degree, going deeper; ③ しかも — ‘what's more, and' (an addition with surprise, emphasis, often unexpected: 性能がいい。しかもデザインも美しい = performs well and what's more the design is beautiful, 安い。しかも早い = cheap and what's more fast), stressing a surprising addition. ⚠️ Core distinction: その上 = cumulative stacking (neutral); さらに = escalation of degree (deeper); しかも = an addition with surprise, emphasis. All three are consecutive, same-direction additions; choose by ‘cumulation/escalation/surprise.'
📌 How to Connect
| Form | Nuance | Example |
|---|---|---|
| その上 | on top of that, moreover (cumulative stacking) | A。その上、B |
| さらに | furthermore, in addition (escalation of degree) | A。さらに、B |
| しかも | what's more, and (surprised emphasis) | A。しかも、B |
💬 Example Sentences
- 仕事で失敗した。その上、上司に注意された。(I failed at work. On top of that, I got reprimanded by my boss.) — その上 (stacking troubles)
- このスマホは性能がいい。しかも、デザインも美しい!(This phone performs well. What's more, the design is beautiful too!) — しかも (surprise)
- 技術はさらに向上している。止まる気配がない。(The technology is improving further. No sign of stopping.) — さらに (escalation of degree)
- 遅刻した。その上、宿題も忘れた。(I was late. On top of that, I forgot my homework too.) — その上 (cumulation)
- 彼女は歌が上手だ。しかも、踊りまで得意だ!(She sings well. What's more, she's even good at dancing!) — しかも (surprised emphasis)
🔄 Compare: その上 vs さらに vs しかも vs それに
| Expression | Nuance | Example |
|---|---|---|
| その上 | “on top of that, moreover” (cumulative stacking) | 失敗した。その上注意された |
| さらに | “furthermore, in addition” (escalation of degree) | さらに向上する |
| しかも | “what's more” (addition with surprise, emphasis) | いい。しかも美しい |
| それに | “and, plus” (a more colloquial, casual addition) | 安い。それに近い |
⚠️ Common Mistakes
- The three differ in emphasis: その上 = cumulative stacking; さらに = escalation of degree (deeper); しかも = surprised emphasis.
- All consecutive: all three are same-direction additions (consecutive), not adversative (✗ for a turn/contrast).
- しかも carries surprise: しかも is often for a surprising, unexpected addition (and what's more …!).
- They are conjunctions: placed at the sentence head, connecting two sentences.
💡 Nuance & When to Use
「その上・さらに・しかも」 all mean ‘moreover, in addition' (escalating, same-direction addition), but differ in emphasis: その上 = on top of that, cumulative stacking (失敗した。その上注意された); さらに = furthermore, escalation of degree (さらに向上); しかも = an addition with surprise, emphasis (性能がいい。しかもデザインも美しい!). ⚠️ Core distinction: その上 cumulation, さらに escalation, しかも surprised emphasis. Near the more colloquial 「それに」. All consecutive. A must at N3.
🎯 JLPT Exam Tips
- High-frequency N3: その上 (cumulative stacking), さらに (escalation of degree), しかも (an addition with surprise, emphasis); all same-direction additions (consecutive).
- Core distinction: その上 (on top of that, cumulation) vs さらに (furthermore, escalation) vs しかも (surprise, emphasis).
- Extension: それに (a more colloquial, casual addition); all placed at the sentence head connecting sentences.
🖊️ Practice Quiz
Q1. 「仕事で失敗した。___、上司に注意された。」(and on top of that, scolded by the boss — piling up)
(A) さらに (B) しかも (C) その上 (D) どれも
Q2. 「このスマホは性能がいい。___デザインも美しい！」(and what's more, the design is beautiful — surprise)
(A) その上 (B) さらに (C) しかも (D) それに
Q3. 「技術は___向上している。止まる気配がない。」(improving even further)
(A) しかも (B) その上 (C) さらに (D) ところで
Q4. 「遅刻した。___、宿題も忘れた。」(late, and on top of that forgot homework — piling up)
(A) ところが (B) それでも (C) その上 (D) だから
Q5. 「彼女は歌が上手だ。___、踊りまで得意だ！」(and even good at dancing — surprise)
(A) その上 (B) しかも (C) さらに (D) どれも
Answer Key
1. (C) その上 ── 仕事で失敗した、その上注意された = problems piling up; その上 stresses ‘on top of that' (adding insult to injury).
2. (C) しかも ── しかも adds a surprising further point (and what's more).
3. (C) さらに ── さらに = even further/more (continued improvement).
4. (C) その上 ── late and on top of that forgot homework (piling up).
5. (B) しかも ── しかも adds a surprising point (and even good at dancing).