表層(ひょうそう)

ひょうそう
noun
surface layer; superficial level
formalnature
1. surface layer; outer layer
The outermost or topmost layer of something physical, such as the earth's surface, skin, or a body of water.
海(うみ)の表層(ひょうそう)は暖(あたた)かい。
The surface layer of the ocean is warm.
地盤(じばん)の表層(ひょうそう)を調査(ちょうさ)する。
To survey the surface layer of the ground.
表層(ひょうそう)の土(つち)を取(と)り除(のぞ)くと、岩盤(がんばん)が現(あらわ)れた。
When the surface layer of soil was removed, bedrock appeared.
2. superficial level; surface appearance
The outward or shallow aspect of something, as opposed to its deeper, underlying reality. Used figuratively.
表層(ひょうそう)だけを見(み)ていてはだめだ。
You can't just look at the surface.
表層的(ひょうそうてき)な理解(りかい)にとどまっている。
The understanding remains only at a superficial level.
問題(もんだい)の表層(ひょうそう)だけでなく、根本(こんぽん)原因(げんいん)を探(さぐ)る必要(ひつよう)がある。
We need to look beyond the surface of the problem and investigate the root cause.

Describes the outermost layer of something, used both literally (geology, oceanography, skin) and figuratively (shallow understanding, surface-level analysis). Contrasts with 深層(しんそう) (deep layer).

Common collocations

  • 表層(ひょうそう)水(すい): surface water
  • 表層(ひょうそう)地盤(じばん): surface ground
  • 表層的(ひょうそうてき): superficial
  • 表層(ひょうそう)を掘(ほ)る: to dig the surface layer

Similar words

  • 表層(ひょうそう) (surface) ↔ 深層(しんそう) (deep layer) — this pair is used extensively in both literal (geology, oceanography) and figurative (psychology, analysis) contexts

Etymology

表(ひょう) (surface, outside) + 層(そう) (layer, stratum).

Related Words

Antonym: 深層(しんそう) (deep layer)
Compare: 上層(じょうそう) (upper layer)
general
Added 2026.4.1 2:15 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02
21000/21091_hyousou