おまけに

おまけに means besides; on top of that. It is a JLPT N2 Japanese grammar pattern used to add another point, often negative or emphatic.

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

What does おまけに mean?

Use おまけに when you want to add another point, often negative or emphatic.

Natural translations include:

• besides; on top of that
• depending on context
• in a way that matches the speaker’s emphasis

The best translation depends on the sentence. Focus first on what relationship the pattern creates between the ideas.

How to form おまけに

おまけに + sentence

Examples of the pattern:

• 雨が降ってきた。おまけに風も強い。
• 彼は仕事が早い。おまけに説明も分かりやすい。
• 財布を忘れた。おまけにスマホの電池も切れた。

In JLPT questions, pay close attention to the word immediately before the grammar point. Many wrong answers use a similar meaning but attach to the wrong form.

When is おまけに used?

Use おまけに 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, depending on the expression
• common in JLPT N2 reading passages, news, notices, and business-like writing

おまけに example sentences

• 雨が降ってきた。おまけに風も強い。 — It started raining. On top of that, the wind is strong.
• 彼は仕事が早い。おまけに説明も分かりやすい。 — He works fast. What’s more, his explanations are easy to understand.
• 財布を忘れた。おまけにスマホの電池も切れた。 — I forgot my wallet. To make matters worse, my phone battery died too.
• この部屋は狭いし、おまけに駅から遠い。 — This room is small, and on top of that, far from the station.
• 料理はおいしく、おまけに値段も安い。 — The food is delicious, and what’s more, the price is low.

After reading each sentence, ask what job おまけに is doing. Is it adding, excluding, warning, emphasizing, or showing a condition? That habit makes the nuance easier to remember than a single English translation.

Nuance of おまけに

The key nuance is add another point, often negative or emphatic.

This matters because N2 grammar often overlaps with easier expressions. The advanced pattern usually adds formality, emphasis, restriction, or a stronger logical relationship.

For example:

• In formal writing, おまけに often sounds more precise than a casual equivalent.
• Compared with その上, it has a different tone or scope even when the English translation looks similar.

おまけに vs その上

Both おまけに and その上 can express related ideas, but they are different.

おまけに:

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

その上:

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

Quick contrast examples:

• 雨が降ってきた。おまけに風も強い。
• Try rewriting the sentence with その上 and notice whether the tone or meaning changes.

Common mistakes with おまけに

Watch out for these mistakes:

• Translating it too literally and missing the function in context
• Confusing it with その上 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 おまけに, then compare it with a related grammar point. Explain the difference in your own words.

Is おまけに on the JLPT?

Yes. おまけに 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

For test preparation, study the grammar point in full sentences. JLPT questions usually test context, not dictionary translation alone.

Practice questions for おまけに

Try making your own sentences with these prompts:

• Write one sentence that clearly needs おまけに.
• Write a second sentence with その上 and compare the nuance.
• Find a notice, article, or dialogue where this kind of meaning would be natural.

Learning path for おまけに

To learn おまけに 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 おまけに with その上 and the related lessons below. These recommendations are chosen from similar semantic or structural families.
3. Finally, write your own sentence where the context makes おまけに necessary.

Related grammar to review next

• その上 — review this next because it is close in meaning, form, or register
• しかも — review this next because it is close in meaning, form, or register
• n3 ue ni — review this next because it is close in meaning, form, or register

Learn おまけに with Hane

If you want to review おまけに 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