Why do JLPT N3 learners confuse しかも with ありがとう?

Both words occupy adjacent semantic territory, which is exactly why the JLPT uses them as distractors for each other on multiple-choice items. The fastest way to stop confusing them is to study them as a pair, write a one-sentence contrast in your own words, and drill the pair specifically rather than each word in isolation.

Is しかも or ありがとう more common on JLPT N3?

Both appear in the JLPT N3 curriculum and either may show up on a given exam. Don't try to predict which one the test will choose — learn to distinguish them and you'll be safe regardless. Both belong to the General Expressions theme of N3 vocabulary.

How do I practice this confusion pair?

Free option: visit /try and pick a confusion drill. Paid option: none — JLPT Mastery is free during launch. Whichever route you take, the engine specifically re-tests pairs you've gotten wrong rather than rotating through general vocabulary review.

JLPT N3 · Intermediate · Meaning confusion

しかも vs ありがとう

Q: What's the difference between しかも and ありがとう?

しかも (しかも) means "moreover, furthermore, nevertheless, and yet" and ありがとう (ありがとう) means "(conj, exp, int) Thank you". Both are high-frequency words used at the beginning of sentences. A learner might confuse the additive conjunction 'shikamo' (然も) with the standard social expression of gratitude 'arigatou' (有難う).

Why JLPT N3 learners mix up しかも (しかも, “moreover, furthermore, nevertheless, and yet”) and ありがとう (ありがとう, “(conj, exp, int) Thank you”).

しかも

moreover, furthermore, nevertheless, and yet

expression

ありがとう

(conj, exp, int) Thank you

expression

Theme: General ExpressionsJLPT N3

Why these get confused

Both are high-frequency words used at the beginning of sentences. A learner might confuse the additive conjunction 'shikamo' (然も) with the standard social expression of gratitude 'arigatou' (有難う).

How to tell them apart

Anchor on the meaning, not the form. しかも (moreover, furthermore, nevertheless, and yet) and ありがとう ((conj, exp, int) Thank you) live in adjacent semantic territory. Memorize the boundary, not just each word.
Read the example sentences below. Seeing each word in its natural context builds a faster lookup than studying the dictionary form alone.

In a sentence

しかも (moreover, furthermore, nevertheless, and yet)

それは作りやすいし、しかも安い。
たった５０ドルで、しかも靴クリームを２缶おまけいたします。

ありがとう ((conj, exp, int) Thank you)

ありがとう。
ありがとう。

How JLPT tests this pair

On JLPT N3, this pair shows up as a vocabulary meaning question. You see one word and pick its English equivalent from four options — one of which will be the other word in this pair, chosen as a distractor precisely because of the overlap.

Sample item

「しかも」の意味は？

A. moreover, furthermore, nevertheless, and yet (correct)
B. (conj, exp, int) Thank you (distractor)
C. (other plausible meaning)
D. (other plausible meaning)

Drill this pair until it sticks

Reading the explanation is step one. Targeted practice is what actually moves a confusion pair out of your weak list. Free, no signup needed to try.

Practice N3 confusion pairs

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Both are multi-syllabic expressions frequently found at the start of a statement. A learner might confuse the formal conditional "depending on circumstances" (事によると) with the common social greeting 'arigatou' (有難う).

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しかも vs あっ

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Meaning confusion · General Expressions

それと vs ありがとう

Both are high-frequency social connectors. Learners might confuse the additive "and" (それと) with the appreciative "thank you" (ありがとう) because both often follow a previous statement or action in dialogue.

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Meaning confusion · General Expressions

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Meaning confusion · General Expressions

なぜなら vs ありがとう

Both are multi-syllabic polite-sounding words. Learners might confuse the explanatory "because" (なぜなら) with the appreciative "thank you" (ありがとう) when processing formal speech or written patterns.

See explanation →

Frequently asked

しかも vs ありがとう

Why JLPT N3 learners mix up しかも (しかも, “moreover, furthermore, nevertheless, and yet”) and ありがとう (ありがとう, “(conj, exp, int) Thank you”).

しかも

moreover, furthermore, nevertheless, and yet

expression

ありがとう

(conj, exp, int) Thank you

expression

Theme: General ExpressionsJLPT N3

Why these get confused

How to tell them apart

Anchor on the meaning, not the form. しかも (moreover, furthermore, nevertheless, and yet) and ありがとう ((conj, exp, int) Thank you) live in adjacent semantic territory. Memorize the boundary, not just each word.
Read the example sentences below. Seeing each word in its natural context builds a faster lookup than studying the dictionary form alone.