上に | On Top Of That and Besides in Japanese

Stacking Two Things the Same Way

上(うえ)に adds a second item to a first. The crucial rule: both must lean the same direction.

Two good things, or two bad things. Never one of each.

Pattern	Register
し	casual, loose listing
上(じょう)に	tighter, slightly formal, emphasises accumulation
その上(うえ)	stands alone as a connective between sentences

し can list two unrelated points. 上(うえ)に insists they pile up in one direction.

Same kanji, different particle, unrelated meaning. 上(うえ)で is a sequence; 上(うえ)に is an addition.

Example Sentences

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Speed

この店(みせ)は安(やす)い上(うえ)においしいです。

This shop is cheap, and delicious on top of that.

道(みち)に迷(まよ)った上(うえ)に雨(あめ)まで降(ふ)ってきた。

I got lost, and on top of that it started raining.

この部屋(へや)は広(ひろ)い上(うえ)に明(あか)るい。

This room is spacious and bright as well.

遅刻(ちこく)した上(うえ)に資料(しりょう)も忘(わす)れた。

I was late, and forgot the materials on top of that.

便利(べんり)な上(うえ)に値段(ねだん)も手頃(てごろ)です。

It's convenient, and reasonably priced besides.

風(かぜ)が強(つよ)い上(うえ)に寒(さむ)い。

It's windy, and cold on top of that.

彼(かれ)は優秀(ゆうしゅう)な上(うえ)に努力家(どりょくか)だ。

He's talented, and hard-working besides.

残業(ざんぎょう)した上(うえ)に終電(しゅうでん)を逃(のが)した。

I worked late, and then missed the last train too.