JLPT N3・N5 Vocabulary – Difference between “さらに” and “もっと”

Table of Contents

1. Difference between “さらに” and “もっと”
2. さらに
3. もっと
4. Let’s Compare
5. Summary
6. Similer Articles
7. Comment

Q: What is the difference between “さらに” and “もっと”?

A: “さらに” expresses that an event is added or that the degree increases, while “もっと” is used when simply increasing the amount or degree. Let’s look at each in more detail.

さらに (JLPT N3)

[Meaning]
① Something of the same kind overlaps or is added
② The degree increases compared to before

[Examples]
今いまでさえ忙いそがしいのに、さらに忙いそがしくなりそうです。（①）
Even though I’m already busy, it looks like I will become even busier.

研究けんきゅうを進すすめることで、さらに理解りかいが深ふかまりました。（②）
By advancing my research, my understanding deepened even further.

“There are two main ways to use “さらに”.

The first is when something similar is added to the current state.
A close synonym is “その上うえ” (on top of that).

[Examples]
台風たいふうで停電ていでんしたうえに、さらに断水だんすいまで起おこりました。
In addition to the power outage caused by the typhoon, there was even a water supply cut.
⇒ This means that, along with the power outage, the trouble of a water outage also occurred.”

彼かれは提出ていしゅつ期限きげんを守まもりませんでした。さらに、言いい訳わけばかりしています。
He did not meet the submission deadline. Furthermore, he keeps making excuses.

物価ぶっかが上あがり、さらに税金ぜいきんまで引き上ひ　あげられました。
Prices have gone up, and taxes have even been raised further.

The second usage is when “the degree increases as time goes by.” Synonyms include “ますます” (more and more) and “いっそう” (all the more).

[Examples]
大人おとなになるにつれて、彼女かのじょはさらに美うつくしくなりました。
As she grew into an adult, she became even more beautiful.
⇒ This expresses how, in the process of growing from a child into an adult, she became even more beautiful than before.

努力どりょくの甲斐かいがあって成績せいせきが上あがりました。さらに努力どりょくすれば、もっと上あがるでしょう。
Thanks to her efforts, her grades improved. If she makes even more effort, they will improve further.

技術ぎじゅつは日々ひび進歩しんぽし、今後こんごさらに発展はってんしていくでしょう。
Technology is advancing day by day and will continue to develop even further in the future.

もっと (JLPT N5)

[Meaning]
To add to the amount or degree of something that already exists or has been presented

[Examples]
もっと字じが上手じょうずになりたいです。
I want to become better at writing characters.

もっと食たべてください。
Please eat more.

もっと早はやく来こればよかったです。
I should have come earlier.

“もっと” means “to further add to the amount or degree of something that already exists or has been presented.” Compared to “さらに,” it is characterized by expressing a more concrete and straightforward increase.

[Examples]
この水みずの量りょうでは少すくないですよ。もっと入いれてください。
This amount of water is not enough. Please add more.
⇒ This means adding more to the water that has already been poured.

カフェラテに砂糖さとうを入いれて、もっと甘あまくしましょう。
Let’s add sugar to the café latte to make it sweeter.

この問題もんだいについて、もっと詳くわしく説明せつめいしていただけますか。
Could you please explain this problem in more detail?

Let’s Compare

In the following cases, using either expression is not a major mistake, but there is a slight difference in meaning. Let’s think about the nuance.

[Example]
① 日常にちじょう会話かいわの日本にほん語ごだけでなく、さらに上うえのレベルに進すすみたいです。
② 日常にちじょう会話かいわの日本にほん語ごだけでなく、もっと上うえのレベルに進すすみたいです。

① expresses moving step by step from the everyday level to the business level. It gives the image of building up gradually from the current level.
②, on the other hand, conveys the nuance of wanting to aim for a higher level in general, rather than being conscious of each step.

Now, in the following case, which expression is more suitable?

[Example]
① 遠慮えんりょしないでさらに食たべてください。
② 遠慮えんりょしないでもっと食たべてください。

The correct answer is ②.
The speaker thinks “the amount the other person is eating now is not enough,” so using “もっと” is natural. When you simply want to increase the amount, you use “もっと.”

Summary

[さらに]

• ① Expresses that “another similar thing is added to the current state.” A synonym is “その上うえ (n top of that).”
• ② Expresses that “the degree increases as time goes by.” Synonyms are “ますます (more and more)” and “いっそう (all the more).”
• It is used with the image of moving up step by step from the current level.

[もっと]

• Means “to further add to an already existing amount or degree.”
• It expresses a concrete and straightforward increase.
• It is used when showing the feeling of aiming for a higher level, rather than focusing on gradual steps.

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