Korean word

계층

Pronunciation

Romanizationkyecheung

Meaning

  • nounhierarchy

Example

이 조직에는 명확한 계층이 존재한다.i cho ji ge neun myeong hwa kan kye cheung i chon jae han da

There is a clear hierarchy in this organization.

Illustration for 계층 (hierarchy)

More examples

그는 하위 계층 출신이라 기회의 문이 좁았다.keu neun ha wi kye cheung chul si ni ra ki hoe ui mu ni cho bat tta

Because he came from a lower social class, he had limited opportunities.

Core concept

A set of ordered levels, with each level placed above or below another according to a system.

Common phrases

  • 하위 계층ha wi kye cheung

    lower tier

  • 상위 계층sang wi kye cheung

    upper tier

Similar words

위wi: A higher position in space, sequence, or rank.
층cheung: A vertical level in a building identified by its height.
단계tangye: One ordered part of a process that marks progress toward an outcome.
위계wigye: A framework of ordered relations that assigns higher and lower standing.

Definition in Korean

어떤 기준에 따라 위아래나 상하의 위치가 정해진 단계들의 집합 또는 그 단계 하나하나를 이르는 말eo tteon ki ju ne tta ra wi a rae na sang ha ui wi chi ga cheong hae jin tan gye deu rui chi pap tto neun keu tan gye ha na ha na reul i reu neun mal

Word origin

The Sino-Korean word combines terms for a step or level and a layer, creating the image of stacked levels.

Usage tips

  • In English, hierarchy naturally describes social rank and levels in a classification system as well as workplace structure.

Other meanings

  • layernoun
  • social classnoun

Opposites

Related words

  • 계층적kyecheungjeokhierarchicaladjective
  • 계층화kyecheunghwastratificationnoun

Word lists with this word