なお (nao)

Meaning & usage

なお is a formal adverb meaning still, yet, furthermore or even more, used to add information or stress that a state continues or intensifies. It is placed directly before a verb, adjective or whole clause, often in set combinations such as 今なお, それでもなお, なお悪いことに and なおいっそう. It belongs to written or formal speech, so polite or literary endings like である and ます fit naturally while casual contractions sound mismatched.

Example sentences 4

1. 彼かれは親切しんせつで優やさしく、なおよいことに正直しょうじきである。

   He is kind and gentle, and what is better still, honest.

2. 彼は７０歳でなお活躍している。

   At seventy, he is still active.

3. 冬でもなおアスパラガスが食べられる。

   You can still get asparagus in the winter.

4. とても寒く、なお悪いことに、雨が降り始めた。

   It was very cold, and what was worse, it began to rain.