JLPT N2・N3 Grammar – Difference between “さらに” and “しかも”
Table of Contents
1. Difference between “さらに” and “しかも”
2. さらに
3. しかも
4. Let’s Compare
5. Summary
6. Quiz
7. Similar Articles
8. Comment
Q: What is the difference between “さらに” and “しかも”?
A: Both are conjunctions used to add information in the following statement in addition to what was mentioned earlier. Here, we will explain the basic differences in their usage.
さらに (JLPT N3)
[Meaning]
①The overlapping or addition of similar matters.
②An increase in degree compared to before.
[Examples]
今週は大雨が降って、さらに台風まで来るそうです。（①）
This week, it rained heavily, and furthermore, a typhoon is expected to come.
このスマホは軽くて薄い。さらにバッテリーの持ちも良い。（①）
This smartphone is light and thin. Furthermore, its battery life is excellent.
さらに日本語が上手になりましたね！（②）
Your Japanese has improved even more!
太郎君のピアノの腕前はさらに磨きがかかったね。（②）
Taro’s piano skills have improved even further.
[A。さらにB。]
The first way to use it is as in “今週は大雨が降って、さらに台風まで来るそうです。(This week, it rained heavily, and furthermore, a typhoon is expected to come)”, where similar matters like heavy rain and a typhoon are described, conveying the meaning of “not just A but also B.”
Therefore, it cannot be used to continue with different types of matters, such as “This week, it rained heavily, and furthermore, the weekend will be sunny.”
“さらに” can be used in both positive and negative contexts. However, if A is positive, B should also be positive, and if A is negative, B should also carry a negative nuance.
[Examples]
この服はセールで3割引きだったのに、さらにタイムセールで1割引きだったんです。
This outfit was on sale with a 30% discount, and furthermore, it was an additional 10% off during the time sale.
今日は財布を落として、さらにケータイを失くしました。
Today, I lost my wallet, and to make things worse, I also lost my phone.
The second way to use it is as in “さらに日本語が上手になりましたね。(Your Japanese has improved even more)” where it conveys the nuance of “becoming even better than before.”
In this case, it can be interpreted as “Your Japanese was already good, but it has improved further.”
This usage can also be applied in both positive and negative contexts.
[Examples]
太郎君、さらにピアノが上手になったね。
Taro, your piano skills have improved even more!
会社の売り上げはさらに下がりました。
The company’s sales have dropped even further.
しかも (JLPT N2)
[Meaning]
Not only one aspect of something, but also another different aspect.
[Examples]
この町は静かです。しかも住民も親切なんです。
This town is quiet. Moreover, the residents are kind.
今日の晩ご飯、おいしそうだね。しかもデザートまであるの!?
Tonight’s dinner looks delicious. And on top of that, there’s even dessert!?
このバッグは安いです。しかも丈夫で長持ちします。
This bag is inexpensive. Furthermore, it’s durable and long-lasting.
明日は休日です。しかも天気がいいらしいですよ。
Tomorrow is a holiday. What’s more, the weather is supposed to be nice.
[A。しかもB。]
As in “この町は静かです。しかも住民も親切です。(This town is quiet. Moreover, the residents are kind)”, B describes a different aspect related to A.
In this case, A states “The town is quiet,” and B states “The residents are kind,” with each presenting distinct matters.
While “さらに” is used to describe the overlap of similar matters, “しかも” is used to add supplementary information related to A.
[Examples]
このスーパーは安いです。しかも野菜や魚が新鮮です。
This supermarket is cheap. Moreover, the vegetables and fish are fresh.
来週テストがあります。しかもいつもより科目が多いです。
There is a test next week. And on top of that, there are more subjects than usual.
Let’s Compare
Which do you think is more appropriate in the following cases?
[Examples]
来週テストがあります。しかも私が苦手な漢字のテストです！
来週テストがあります。さらに私が苦手な漢字のテストです！
The correct answer is “しかも”.
“A test exists” and “I’m bad at kanji” are separate pieces of information, and since “I’m bad at kanji” is supplementary information, “しかも” is the appropriate choice.
Let’s try another example:
[Examples]
花子さんは美人です。しかも親切です。
花子さんは美人です。さらに親切です。
The correct answer is “しかも”.
Both the first and second statements provide information about Hanako, but the key point of “しかも” is that it conveys supplementary information.
On the other hand, “さらに” expresses “the overlap or addition of similar matters” or “a state that has further improved,” making it unsuitable in this context.
Summary
[しかも]
- It expresses “the overlapping or addition of similar matters” and “an increase in degree compared to before.”
[さらに]
- It is used to not only refer to one aspect of something but also to mention another different aspect, playing a role in adding information.
Quiz
Read the following sentence and choose the expression that fits the context from the options provided in the parentheses.
Click on the question to check the answer.
A. しかも
日本語のクラスは楽しいです。しかもクラスメイトもおもしろいです。
The Japanese class is fun. Moreover, the classmates are interesting.
*”Classmates” adds supplementary information about the “Japanese class,” so “しかも” is appropriate.
A. さらに
桜が咲いて、庭がさらにきれいになりました。
The cherry blossoms bloomed, and the garden became even more beautiful.
*This conveys the nuance of “becoming even more beautiful than before,” so “さらに” is appropriate.
A. さらに
まだ解決していない問題があるのに、さらに大きな問題も起きています。
There are still unresolved issues, and furthermore, a bigger problem has arisen.
*Similar matters (problems) are overlapping, so “さらに” is appropriate.
A. しかも
ここのケーキはおいしいんです。しかも毎月1日はケーキが1割引きで買えるんです。 。
The cakes here are delicious. And on top of that, on the first of every month, cakes are 10% off.
*”The cakes are delicious” and “a discount” are separate pieces of information, so “しかも” is appropriate.
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