しかも

しかも is a conjunction meaning "moreover," "furthermore," "what's more," or "and on top of that." It is used to add emphasis to additional information that reinforces or intensifies the preceding statement. The added information typically goes in the same direction as the first clause – making something even more positive, even more negative, or even more surprising.

Adding positive emphasis

When the first statement is positive, しかも adds another positive detail that strengthens it.

Adding negative emphasis

When the first statement is negative, しかも piles on further bad news.

Usage notes

しかも typically appears at the beginning of a new sentence or clause, connecting it to the previous one. It can also appear mid-sentence after a comma. Unlike そして (which simply adds information) or それに (which is more conversational), しかも carries a stronger sense of emphasis and surprise – the speaker is highlighting that the additional fact is noteworthy or unexpected in degree.

しかも is used in both spoken and written Japanese and works in both formal and informal contexts. It is commonly found in news, essays, and everyday conversation alike.

しかも is different from しかし ("however"), which expresses contrast. しかも adds information in the same direction, not in the opposite direction.