계층

Korean

Etymology

Sino-Korean word from 階層, from 階 (“rank”) + 層 (“layer”)

Pronunciation

• Audio:

  (file)

• (SK Standard/Seoul) IPA^(key): [kje̞t͡ɕʰɯŋ] ~ [ke̞t͡ɕʰɯŋ]
• Phonetic hangul: [계층/게층]

Romanizations
Revised Romanization?	gyecheung
Revised Romanization (translit.)?	gyecheung
McCune–Reischauer?	kyech'ŭng
Yale Romanization?	kyey.chung

Noun

계층 • (gyecheung) (hanja 階層)

1. (usually politics) class of people, stratum

   사회에서 지배계층이 하급계층의 요구를 묵살하는 일은 흔하다.

   sahoeeseo jibaegyecheung'i hageupgyecheung'ui yogureul muksalhaneun ireun heunhada.

   In society a dominant group often ignores the wishes of subordinate groups.

Usage notes

• Conventionally preferred in South Korea to 계급 (gyegeup), which is associated with communism and North Korea.