Japatan
Formation
- V普通形 + 上(に)
- いA普通形 + 上(に)
- なA + な / である + 上(に)
- N + の / である + 上(に)
Explanation
It adds a second point that goes in the same direction as the first: good plus good, or bad plus bad (cheap and also tasty; got lost and also got rained on). に can be dropped: 〜上、〜. It is similar to ばかりか, but 上に simply adds two points; the second does not need to be more surprising.
Examples
この店のパンは安い上に、とてもおいしい。
The bread at this bakery is cheap, and very tasty too.
昨日は道に迷った上に、雨にも降られて大変だった。
Yesterday I got lost, and on top of that I got caught in the rain. It was awful.
この仕事は楽な上に、給料もいい。
This job is easy, and the pay is good as well.
彼は医者である上に、小説も書いている。
Besides being a doctor, he also writes novels.
Notes
Keep both parts in the same direction (安い上にまずい is wrong). The second clause cannot be a command, request or volition. Do not confuse it with 〜上で.
Related grammar
Mini quiz
1このホテルは駅から近い（ ）、朝ごはんもおいしい。
Answer and explanation
Answer: 3 上に
"This hotel is close to the station, and its breakfast is good too." 上に adds a second good point. にもかかわらず is for unexpected results.
2今日は寝坊した上に、（ ）。
Answer and explanation
Answer: 1 電車にも乗り遅れてしまった
"Today I overslept, and on top of that I missed the train." 上に adds another bad thing. 2 and 4 are good things, and 3 is a volitional sentence, which is not allowed.
3彼女は親切（ ）上に、仕事もよくできる。
Answer and explanation
Answer: 4 な
"She is kind, and also very good at her job." Na-adjectives connect as な + 上に.
