にも増して means more than…; above ~. It is a JLPT N1 Japanese grammar pattern used to express that something is even more than a reference point—often a previous state, expectation, or standard.
If you want to say that a quality or feeling has intensified beyond what it was before, にも増して is the pattern that adds that subjective weight. It shows up in formal writing, spoken commentary, and the N1 reading and listening sections.
What does にも増して mean?
Use にも増して when you want to say that something is more than or above a certain frame of reference. The English translations “more than…”, “above ~”, or “even more than” all work, but the nuance is that the new state surpasses what came before in a way that feels notable to the speaker.
Think of it as: “even more than X, Y is true / has happened.” The X is often a noun like 前 (before), 以前 (previously), いつも (usual), or a concrete standard.
This pattern belongs to a family of expressions that set a comparative baseline, but にも増して is the one that signals the speaker’s heightened impression—so it’s not a dry, factual comparison.
How to form にも増して
Attach にも増して directly to a noun. The noun represents the point of comparison—often a temporal or situational reference.
Common nouns that precede にも増して:
- 前にも増して — more than before
- 以前にも増して — even more than previously
- いつにも増して — more than ever / more than usual
- 想像にも増して — beyond imagination
- 予想にも増して — more than expected
- 期待にも増して — beyond what one had hoped
The structure is fixed; verbs, adjectives, and full clauses cannot directly precede the pattern.
When is にも増して used?
Use にも増して when you want to:
- Compare a current state to a past state and say it intensified
- Emphasize that a result or quality exceeds what a noun describes
- Sound slightly formal and expressive at the same time
Typical contexts:
- Personal impressions, emotions, or judgments (“He seemed even more determined than before”)
- Formal writing (essays, news editorials, reviews)
- Polite speech where you want to add weight to an observation
Tone and register:
- Neutral to formal; often appears in written Japanese
- Can appear in spoken Japanese when the speaker wants to sound articulate, but it’s not casual slang
- Commonly tested in N1 reading comprehension and sometimes in listening where nuanced comparisons matter
にも増して example sentences
After reading each sentence, ask yourself what the point of comparison is (前, 以前, いつも, 想像, etc.) and what quality is being intensified. That makes the pattern easier to internalize.
Nuance of にも増して
The key nuance is subjective amplification. You aren’t just stating a neutral difference; you’re conveying that something has surpassed the reference point in a way that catches your attention.
- It often suggests surprise, admiration, or even disappointment.
- The reference point is usually something the listener already knows (the past, the usual, the expected), so the statement lands with additional emotional weight.
- Compared with a plain comparison like より or 以上に, にも増して makes the increase feel personal and meaningful.
For example, saying 前よりも暑い is a simple comparative (“hotter than before”). Saying 前にも増して暑い implies “I really feel it—this is notably more intense than what came before.” The grammar itself colors the statement.
にも増して vs 以上に
Both にも増して and 以上に can mean “more than,” but they carry different flavors.
In many N1 contexts, choosing にも増して over 以上に tells the examiner that you understand the speaker’s subjective evaluation, not just the grammar. The same distinction holds in writing—a review might use にも増して to inject personal voice into a comparison.
Common mistakes with にも増して
A useful exercise: write a sentence with 前にも増して, then replace 前 with a different noun and see how the meaning shifts. Always check that the noun creates a meaningful baseline.
Is にも増して on the JLPT?
- Recognize it in a passage and understand its subjective weight
- Differentiate it from neutral comparatives like より and 以上に
- Use it appropriately in rephrasing or sentence-completion questions
For N1 test preparation, don’t just memorize “more than.” Practice identifying the emotion behind the comparison. Questions often ask, “How does the speaker feel?” rather than “What does this word mean?”
Practice questions for にも増して
Start with simple structures. Once you’re comfortable, add context words like なぜか, やはり, やっぱり to make the emotional tone even clearer.
Learning path for にも増して
Related grammar to review next
- にもほどがある — also uses にも to set a standard, but here it marks the limit of acceptable behavior: “there’s a line even for…”
- には当たらない — because it too evaluates a degree against a norm, saying something doesn’t reach the level needed to be called X
- には及ばない — the opposite direction of comparison; instead of surpassing, it says something falls short of a standard
- によらず — because it expresses a relationship beyond a single factor, and understanding it sharpens your sense of how comparisons are framed
Learn にも増して with Hane
If you want to review にも増して together with the advanced comparatives above, Hane helps you practice Japanese in short, focused sessions—perfect for N1 nuance.
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FAQ about にも増して
What does にも増して (nimo mashite) mean in Japanese?
にも増して (nimo mashite) means “more than…; above”. It is JLPT N1 grammar. Use にも増して when you want to say that something is more than or above a certain frame of reference. The English translations “more than…”, “above ~”, or “even more than” all work, but the nuance is that the new state surpasses what came before in a way that feels notable to the speaker.
How do you form にも増して (nimo mashite)?
Noun → Noun ＋ にも 増して Attach にも増して directly to a noun. The noun represents the point of comparison—often a temporal or situational reference.
What is the difference between にも増して and 以上に?
にも増して: subjective amplification. 以上に: objective comparison.
What is an example sentence with にも増して (nimo mashite)?
今年の夏は前にも増して暑い。 — This summer is even hotter than before.