Word
一層
Meaning in Englisheven more, still more
Animated kanji stroke order
Sentence
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Word context
What it means
A degree adverb; signals an increase in intensity or extent and is used before adjectives or verbs to intensify meaning.
Main meanings
- Adverb of degree expressing that something is much more or to a greater extent.
- Intensifier placed before adjectives or verbs to amplify meaning.
- Common in formal writing and in speech to convey a heightened sense of progression.
How to use it
Used as an adverb before adjectives or verbs to express increased degree; common in both written and spoken Japanese, especially in formal contexts. Examples of use: 一層難しくなる、一層努力する、一層美しく見える
Variants and close terms
- さらに (sarani) – further, more
- もっと (motto) – more
- 一段と (ichidan to) – much more
- いっそう (issou) – alternative reading with the same meaning
Composition
- 一: the numeral one; denotes a single unit.
- 層: layer, tier; conveys a level in a stacked order.
- Combination: the sense of adding a layer leads to higher degree or extent, hence the meaning of more.
Etymology
Composite origin A two-kanji compound of 一 and 層, forming an adverbial sense. The pronunciation issō arises from combining the on-yomi part of 層 (sō) with a contracted form of 一 in fast speech.
Word class
adverb (副詞)
Word
Related words by kanji and components
N1
一概に
ichigaini
unconditionally, necessarily
N1
一同
ichidou
all present, all concerned, all of us
N1
一部分
ichibubun
a part, a portion
N1
一別
ichibetsu
parting
N1
一面
ichimen
one side, the other hand
N1
一目
ichimoku
a glance, a look, a glimpse
N1
一様
ichiyou
uniform, similar, equal
N1
一律
ichiritsu
even, uniform, equal
N1
一連
ichiren
a series, a chain, a ream (of paper)
Kanji