层 (céng) is a Chinese character meaning “layer”. It is written from 尸 (corpse) and 云 (cloud), one enclosing the other, and takes 7 strokes.
Build the character for “layer, storey”
Four steps: break it apart, build it, recall it, use it in a word.
StartLearn this character
Structure
尸 + 云
Enclosing structure
Structure from: 现代简化字形拆分（hanzi-writer-data 笔画核验：0-2 尸 / 3-6 云）
Memory aid
A flat slab (尸) hangs over a cloud (云) tucked underneath it — one storey resting on top of another, floor above floor.
This is a memory aid, not the historical origin.
Stroke order
7 strokes
In real words
- 上层shàng céngupper level; upper layer层 = céng
- 层次céng cìlevel; layer; gradation层 = céng
Go deeper
All readings
layer
layer; tier; storey of a building; measure word for floors and layers
重叠起来的东西中的一部分；楼房的一级。也作量词，用于重叠、累积的事物。 — studyhanzi 编写
Words with this reading
- 上层shàng céngupper level; upper layer层 = céng
- 层次céng cìlevel; layer; gradation层 = céng
Stroke data: hanzi-writer-data (Arphic Public License) · licenses & attributions
Questions people ask about this character
What does 层 mean?
层 (céng) means layer; tier; storey of a building; measure word for floors and layers.
How do you pronounce 层?
It is pronounced céng.
What parts is 层 made of?
尸 (corpse) and 云 (cloud), one enclosing the other. The recorded source is: 现代简化字形拆分（hanzi-writer-data 笔画核验：0-2 尸 / 3-6 云）. Components are the building blocks of the shape; the radical used for dictionary lookup is a separate thing.
How many strokes does 层 have?
7. You can watch the stroke order on this page, or trace it yourself.
What is the radical of 层?
尸. The radical is how the character is filed in a dictionary — it is not the whole story of how the character is built.
What words use 层?
Common ones are 上层 and 层次. The reading of 层 is not the same in every word, so each word on this page shows which reading applies.