Word
一層
Meaning in Englisheven more, still more
Animated kanji stroke order
Sentence
Related sentences
Related sentences
There are no published items in this section yet.
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
一息
hitoiki
a breath, a pause, an effort
N1
一頃
hitokoro
once, some time ago
N1
一筋
hitosuji
a line, earnestly, blindly, straightforwardly
N2
一応
ichiou
tentatively, for the time being
N2
一段と
ichidanto
by far, greater
N2
一流
ichiryuu
first class, leading
N2
一昨年
issakunen
year before last
N2
一斉
issei
simultaneous, all at once
N2
一旦
ittan
once, for a moment
Kanji