How to say "layer" in Japanese

• レイヤーCommon
  nounThe katakana loanword, used for stacked layers in graphic design, image editing and similar technical fields, and also for things like layered cakes or hairstyles.
  これらのグラフィック・デザインの背景はいけいに配置はいちされているレイヤーの機能きのうに注目ちゅうもくしよう。↗

  Note the function of the background layers of these graphic designs.
• 地層ちそうCommon
  nounSpecifically the geological sense: strata or beds of rock, coal, gravel and similar material in the ground. Not the word for layers in general.
  これは永久えいきゅうに凍こおっている地層ちそうであり、それが何なんフィートの深ふかさの所ところもある。↗

  This is a layer of soil that is permanently frozen, and in some places it's many feet deep.
• 階層かいそうJLPT N1approx.Common
  nounA level or stratum within a hierarchical structure — social classes, organizational levels, or levels in a tree-like arrangement. Use it when 'layer' means a rung in a hierarchy rather than a physical layer.
  階層かいそう問題もんだいに対たいする、消費しょうひ社会しゃかい論ろんの著ちょである。↗

  It is a literary work confronting the class problem of a consumer society.
• 段だんJLPT N3approx.Common
  noun, counterPrimarily a step, grade or tier; as 'layer' it really covers stacked tiers such as shelves, and is seldom the word you want for a layer of material.

Use 「レイヤー」 as the direct loanword for stacked layers in design and computing, 地層 for geological strata, 階層 for levels in a hierarchy, and 段 mainly for tiers or shelves rather than true layers.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• レイヤーlayer
• 地層ちそうstratum
• 階層かいそうclass
• 層そうlayer
• 採卵鶏さいらんけいegg-laying hen
• 卵用鶏らんようけいegg-laying hen
• 段だんshelf