なおnao“still; furthermore”

なお means still; furthermore. It is a JLPT N2 Japanese grammar pattern used to add continuation, extra information, or formal notes.

This grammar point often appears in advanced reading, formal writing, notices, essays, and careful conversation. If you want to read Japanese with more nuance, なお is a useful pattern to learn because it shows the speaker’s logic, stance, or emphasis.

What does なお mean?

Use なお when you want to add continuation, extra information, or formal notes.

Natural translations include:

• still; furthermore
• depending on context
• in a way that matches the speaker’s emphasis

How to form なお

なお + sentence

Examples of the pattern:

• 雨はなお降り続いている。
• なお
• 問題はなお解決していない。

When is なお used?

Use なお in situations like:

• reading formal explanations, announcements, or essays
• making a point more precise than a basic grammar pattern would
• connecting two ideas with a clear nuance

Tone and register:

• usually neutral to formal
• common in JLPT N2 reading passages, news, notices, and business-like writing

なお example sentences

• 雨はなお降り続いている。 — The rain is still continuing to fall.
• なお、締め切りは来週の金曜日です。 — Furthermore, the deadline is next Friday.
• 問題はなお解決していない。 — The problem still has not been solved.
• 会議は十時に始まります。なお、資料は受付で配布します。 — The meeting starts at ten. In addition, materials will be handed out at reception.
• 彼女の人気は卒業後もなお高い。 — Her popularity is still high even after graduation.

After reading each sentence, ask what job なお is doing. Is it limiting, adding, conceding, asserting, or describing a condition?

Nuance of なお

The key nuance is add continuation, extra information, or formal notes.

For example:

• In formal writing, なお often sounds more precise than a casual equivalent.
• Compared with さらに, it has a different tone or scope even when the English translation looks similar.

なお vs さらに

なお:

• fits the N2 nuance explained above
• often sounds more specific, formal, or emphatic

さらに:

• is usually broader, simpler, or used in a different register
• may be better in casual conversation depending on the sentence

Quick contrast examples:

• 雨はなお降り続いている。
• Try rewriting the sentence with さらに and notice whether the tone or meaning changes.

Common mistakes with なお

Watch out for these mistakes:

• Translating it too literally and missing the function in context
• Confusing it with さらに just because the English translation overlaps
• Using it in casual speech when a simpler pattern would sound more natural

A helpful practice method is to write one sentence with なお, then compare it with a related grammar point. Explain the difference in your own words.

Is なお on the JLPT?

Yes. なお is commonly taught as JLPT N2 grammar.

That means learners should be able to:

• recognize it in reading
• understand its nuance in context
• use it in simple original sentences

Practice questions for なお

• Write one sentence that clearly needs なお.
• Write a second sentence with さらに and compare the nuance.
• Find a notice, article, or dialogue where this kind of meaning would be natural.

Learning path for なお

To learn なお efficiently, follow a path that matches this pattern’s real function.

1. First review the formation so the base structure feels natural.
2. Then compare なお with さらに and the related lessons below.
3. Finally, write your own sentence where the context makes なお necessary.

Related grammar to review next

• n3 sara ni — furthermore; even more.
• n4 sore ni — also; in addition.
• n2 ijou ni — more than; not less than; beyond.

Learn なお with Hane

If you want to review なお together with the related patterns above, Hane helps you connect grammar, kanji, and vocabulary in short, focused sessions.

Browse more lessons here:

• All grammar lessons
• JLPT N2 grammar lessons