Japanese symbol for “layer”
層
そう
Romaji: sou
layer; stratum; seam; bed
In Japanese, layer is 層, read そう (sou).
Before using these characters for a tattoo, check them with a native speaker. Dictionary words often have several meanings, and the right choice depends on context.
Meanings
- n, n-suf layer; stratum; seam; bed
- n, n-suf class; stratum; bracket; group
- n, n-suf sheaf (math)
- ctr counter for stories (of a building)
Kanji and stroke order
Other Japanese words for “layer”
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 階層 | かいそう kaisou | class; level; stratum |
| 地層 | ちそう chisou | stratum; geological formation; layer |
| レイヤー | レイヤー reiyaa | layer |
| 段 | だん dan | shelf; layer; tier |
| 採卵鶏 | さいらんけい sairankei | egg-laying hen; layer |
Related words
Words that share a kanji.
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 一層 | いっそう issou | even more; still more; all the more |
| 高層 | こうそう kousou | high-rise (building); multistory; multistoried |
| 階層 | かいそう kaisou | class; level; stratum |
| 上層 | じょうそう jousou | upper stratum (classes, stories, storeys); upper layer; layer above |
| 断層 | だんそう dansou | fault; dislocation |
| 深層 | しんそう shinsou | depths; deep level |
See also: Chinese symbol for “layer”.
Data: JMdict (CC BY-SA 4.0); KANJIDIC2 (CC BY-SA 4.0); KanjiVG (CC BY-SA 3.0); wordfreq (CC BY-SA 4.0 (data)). Retrieved 2026-10-22.