[céng cì]
（相屬的各級機構） administrative levels
overlapping and unwieldiness
層次過多
simplify the administrative structure
減少層次
（說話、作文內容的次序） arrangement of ideas (in writing or speech)
This article is not well organized.; This article lacks unity and coherence.
這篇文章層次不清。
If you know sth. about the author's family background, you will appreciate the poem on an even profounder level.
如果你對作者的出身背景有所了解， 你就會在更深的層次上理解這首詩。
（分層） gradation
gradation of colours
顏色的層次