Have you ever had one of those days where everything goes perfectly?
You find a forgotten 1,000-yen bill in the pocket of a jacket you haven't worn in ages, and then, on top of that, that super popular donut shop you love is actually empty, so you can buy your treat right away!

Or maybe… the opposite?
You realize you’ve forgotten your wallet at home, and then, to make matters worse, your phone battery dies, so you can’t even use mobile pay!

Today, we’re looking at おまけに (omake ni).
It’s a super useful N2 expression that means “to make matters worse,” “besides,” or “in addition.”

The word comes from おまけ (omake), which means a bonus or free gift you get when you buy something.
So think of おまけに as adding an extra piece of information to your story whether that extra is good luck or extra trouble!

Let’s dive in and learn how to use this expressive word to add flavor to your Japanese!

そのうえ (sono ue) vs おまけに (omake ni)
Both expressions mean “in addition” or “on top of that,” but the feeling behind them is different.

そのうえ (sono ue)
そのうえ is more neutral and polite.
It is often used in writing, formal explanations, or calm descriptions when you simply want to add extra information.

この店は安い。そのうえ、サービスもいい。
この みせ は やすい。そのうえ、さーびす も いい。
kono mise ha yasui. sono ue, saabisu mo ii.
This shop is cheap. On top of that, the service is good.

Use そのうえ when you want to add information in a clear, objective, or slightly formal way.

おまけに (omake ni)
おまけに is more casual and emotional.
It often carries the speaker’s feelings, such as “lucky!” or “this is getting worse…”.

道に迷った。おまけに雨まで降ってきた。
みち に まよった。おまけに あめ まで ふってきた。
michi ni mayotta. omake ni ame made futtekita.
I got lost. To make matters worse, it even started raining.

Use おまけに when you want to add an extra point with your personal reaction or emotion.

このレストランは料理が美味しいし、おまけに値段も手頃だ。
この れすとらん は りょうり が おいしい し、おまけに ねだん も てごろ だ。
kono resutoran ha ryouri ga oishii shi, omake ni nedan mo tegoro da.
This restaurant’s food is delicious, and on top of that, the prices are reasonable.

この家は駅から近いし、おまけに家賃も安くて最高！
この いえ は えき から ちかい し、おまけに やちん も やすくて さいこう！
kono ie ha eki kara chikai shi, omake ni yachin mo yasukute saikou!
This place is close to the station, and on top of that, the rent is cheap. It’s the best!

彼女は歌が上手で、おまけにダンスもプロ級だ。
かのじょ は うた が じょうず で、おまけに だんす も ぷろきゅう だ。
kanojo ha uta ga jouzu de, omake ni dansu mo purokyuu da.
She’s good at singing, and on top of that, her dancing is professional level.

風邪をひいて熱がある。おまけにひどい咳まで出てきた。
かぜ を ひいて ねつ が ある。おまけに ひどい せき まで でてきた。
kaze wo hiite netsu ga aru. omake ni hidoi seki made detekita.
I caught a cold and have a fever. To make matters worse, I’ve started coughing badly too.

給料日前でお金がないし、おまけに冷蔵庫の中も空っぽだ。
きゅうりょうび まえ で おかね が ない し、おまけに れいぞうこ の なか も からっぽ だ。
kyuuryoubi mae de okane ga nai shi, omake ni reizouko no naka mo karappo da.
It’s before payday and I have no money. On top of that, the fridge is empty.

渋滞に巻き込まれた。おまけにガソリンも残り少なくて焦っている。
じゅうたい に まきこまれた。おまけに がそりん も のこり すくなくて あせっている。
juutai ni makikomareta. omake ni gasorin mo nokori sukunakute asetteiru.
I got stuck in traffic. To make matters worse, I’m running low on gas and starting to panic.

• Grammar Point: おまけに (omake ni)
• JLPT Level: N2
• Meaning: To make matters worse, besides, in addition
• Quick Explanation: Use おまけに to add an extra piece of information that is also good or also bad, often with emotion.
  
  
  

So that’s how we use おまけに!
It’s a great way to pile on details and clearly show how you feel about a situation.

この町は静かだし、おまけに自然も豊かです。
このまちはしずかだし、おまけにしぜんもゆたかです。
Kono machi wa shizuka da shi, omake ni shizen mo yutaka desu.
This town is quiet, and on top of that, it is rich in nature.

Now it’s your turn.
Try making your own sentence using おまけに and say it out loud or write it down.
Adding one more detail can really change how your message sounds.

Your Sensei,
Hikari 👩🏻‍🏫✨

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