How to Write 層 (stratum, social class, layer, story, floor) — Stroke Order, Readings & Printable Worksheet
Master the 14-stroke writing sequence of the JLPT N2 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 6 (小学6年生)) character 層 (“stratum, social class, layer, story, floor”), indexed under the 尸 (しかばね (corpse)) radical. Practice 層 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 層 (ソウ / そう (sou) — stratum).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (層)
Primary Radical (部首): 尸 — しかばね (corpse)
Radical Position: Hanging (Tare / 垂) (垂 (Tare))
Semantic Theme: Body postures, dwellings, screens, and coverings
Curriculum & Reading Usage: Kyōiku Kanji Grade 6 (小学6年生) (JLPT N2). 層 is primarily read using its Sino-Japanese Onyomi (ソウ) inside formal Jukugo compound words rather than as a standalone Kunyomi stem.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (14画): At 14 strokes, 層 is a high-density Kanji where compact internal spacing prevents visual crowding. Keep the 尸 (しかばね (corpse)) radical (Hanging (Tare / 垂) position) slim and space internal horizontal strokes evenly so all 14 strokes fit inside the Genkō Yōshi margins.
📜 Etymology & Mnemonic Insight (六書 / Rikusho)
Radical: 尸 (しかばね (corpse))
Standard Jouyou kanji written with 14 strokes under radical 尸.
Common Japanese Words & Jukugo Using 層
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 層 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 層 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 層 ("stratum, social class, layer, story, floor") is written with 14 strokes (14画) as a JLPT N2 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 6 (小学6年生)) high-density multi-component Kanji (12+ strokes) indexed under the 尸 (しかばね (corpse)) radical. At 14 strokes, 層 is a high-density Kanji where compact internal spacing prevents visual crowding. Keep the 尸 (しかばね (corpse)) radical (Hanging (Tare / 垂) position) slim and space internal horizontal strokes evenly so all 14 strokes fit inside the Genkō Yōshi margins.
What are the Onyomi, Kunyomi, and Jukugo words for 層?
For 層 (JLPT N2), the Onyomi is ソウ and the Kunyomi is —. 層 is primarily read using its Sino-Japanese Onyomi (ソウ) inside formal Jukugo compound words rather than as a standalone Kunyomi stem. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 層 includes 層 (ソウ / そう (sou) — stratum).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 層 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 14 strokes of 層 (stratum, social class, layer, story, floor), start with the 尸 (しかばね (corpse)) in the Hanging (Tare / 垂) (垂 (Tare)) position and follow standard Japanese Hitsujun (筆順) principles: top to bottom (上から下) and left to right (左から右). Practice 層 interactively on the Kanji Scribe canvas or print a free A4 Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheet.
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