Word
一層
Meaning in Englisheven more, still more
Animated kanji stroke order
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)
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)