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What is the Kanji for 'Layer'? | 層

If you are wondering what is the Japanese Kanji for 'Layer', you've come to the right place!

The Japanese Kanji for 'Layer' is 層.

    kanji

    Meaning

    Layer

    Reading

    onyomiそう

    sou

    Parts

    Corpse Formerly

    Example Word

    階層: layer or hierarchy. The Japanese noun '階層 (かいそう)' can mean 'hierarchy' or 'layer', depending on the context. When referring to 'hierarchy', it is often used in social, organizational, or class structures. For example: the company has a strict hierarchy「その会社は厳しい階層がある」(そのかいしゃはきびしいかいそうがある). When referring to 'layer', it is used in contexts like geological layers, software layers, or other stratified systems. For example: the earth has many layers「地球は多くの階層がある」(ちきゅうはおおくのかいそうがある). The word is neutral and can be applied to both abstract and concrete structures.

    Radical

    Stroke Count

    14

    JLPT

    N2

    Grade

    6

    Frequency

    850

    Handwriting

Parts of the Kanji

If you visually break down this kanji, you can see it is made up of 2 parts:

    radical

    Meaning

    Corpse

    kanji

    Meaning

    Formerly

Words Using

This kanji is used in 4 words:

    word

    Meaning

    Layer

    word

    一層

    Meaning

    More

    word

    階層

    Meaning

    Layer, Hierarchy

    word

    大層

    Meaning

    Very

Kanji Related to Through the Part

These 21 kanji contain the part 尸 as well.

    kanji

    Meaning

    Door

    kanji

    Meaning

    Voice

    kanji

    Meaning

    Shop, Roof

    kanji

    Meaning

    Slow, Late

    kanji

    Meaning

    Bureau

    kanji

    Meaning

    Crouch, Yield

    kanji

    Meaning

    Reside, Be

    kanji

    Meaning

    Foot

    kanji

    Meaning

    Report, Deliver

    kanji

    Meaning

    Printing

    kanji

    Meaning

    Belong

    kanji

    Meaning

    Unfold, Expand

    kanji

    殿

    Meaning

    Palace, Formal honorific title

    kanji

    Meaning

    Warehouse

    kanji

    Meaning

    Leak

    kanji

    Meaning

    Fulfill, Footgear

    kanji

    Meaning

    End, Tail

    kanji

    尿

    Meaning

    Urine, Pee

    kanji

    Meaning

    Nun, Priestess

    kanji

    Meaning

    Company officer, Military officer

    kanji

    Meaning

    Butt, Buttocks

Kanji Related to Through the Part

These 4 kanji contain the part 曽 as well.

    kanji

    Meaning

    Increase

    kanji

    Meaning

    Present, Presents

    kanji

    Meaning

    Bonze, Buddhist priest

    kanji

    Meaning

    Hate

Learn the Kanji

Let's make sure you fully understand this kanji.

What does 層 mean?

層 means 'Layer'.

Japanese school students learn this kanji in Sixth Grade, while non-native learners often study it for the JLPT N2 exam.

To help you master this kanji, here's an interactive lesson where you'll practice its readings and meanings.