Japanese Kanji

sou

stratum · social class · layer

Jinmeiyō variant · 15 strokes

Readings

  • ONソウsou

Meaning

Stratum, social class, layer.

層 is a Jinmeiyō variant — used in Japanese names and specialised writing. With 15 strokes, it appears in classical literature, place names, and formal documents.

Learn to read Japanese

Start with hiragana and katakana — the foundation of Japanese reading.