Physical or geological layer; also used for thin seams or beds of material.
The rocks are piled up in layers.
By examining geological strata, we can learn about past environments.
The cake is made of layers of sponge and cream.
Mathematics term for a sheaf; a technical concept in topology and algebraic geometry.
Sheaf theory plays an important role in algebraic geometry.
counter for stories (of a building)
Used as a counter for floors or storeys of a building; often in compounds like 二層 (two-storey).
This building is five storeys tall.
This product targets the demographic of young women.
This building has a five-story structure.
階級 is the standard term for a fixed social class or rank, while 層 more loosely describes a demographic bracket or group defined by shared traits like age or income.
層 is the native Japanese word for a layer and is used broadly, including geological and abstract senses, while レイヤー is a loanword mainly used in computing, design, and casual contexts.
層 is a general term for any layer (e.g., in society, atmosphere, or paint), while 地層 specifically refers to a geological layer of rock or sediment.
層 is a more general term for 'layer' or 'stratum', while 階層 specifically implies a ranked or structured layering, often in social or organizational contexts.
階 is the everyday counter for a building's floors (三階 = third floor), while 層 as a counter is a more formal or technical term often used in architectural or structural descriptions.
段 describes a step, tier, or rank in a vertical sequence, while 層 emphasizes a flat, horizontal layer or stratum.
upper layer; upper stratum; upper level
high-rise; multistory; tall (building) · high-altitude; upper (atmosphere, air current)
hierarchy; stratum; layer; level; class
fault; dislocation · gap; discrepancy; divide
lower layer; layer beneath · lower strata; lower classes
deep layer; depths; deep level
stratum; geological layer; bed
clientele; customer base; customer demographics
surface; outer layer
Standard kanji spelling for all senses.
The kanji 層 is a phono-semantic compound: 尸 (body) + 曾 (layered, piled up). The reading そう is the on'yomi. The word has been used in Japanese for physical layers since early texts, and extended to abstract strata and mathematical sheaves in modern times.
very; extremely; greatly · considerable; excessive; large in amount or number · splendid; impressive; tremendous · exaggerated; overblown; grandiose
low-rise; low-story · low-level; low-class
lamination; layering; lamination layer
multilayer; multilayered
multilayered; multistoried
each stratum; each class; every level
middle layer; medium depth; middle part · mid-level; medium-rise; medium-size
ionosphere
medium and high-rise
stratified; layered
even more; still more; all the more · one layer; a single layer · lowest floor; first level of a building · rather; preferably; sooner
wealthy people; the rich
young people; the young; youth demographic
the poor; underclass; poorest segment of the population
ozone layer
low-IQ people easily influenced by mass media; sheeple
children's demographic; child audience
D layer; D region
E layer; E region
F layer; F region