#readings

On'yomi and Kun'yomi

Every kanji in Japanese can have one or more readings: on'yomi (音読み, Chinese-derived) and kun'yomi (訓読み, native Japanese). Understanding when and why each reading is used is fundamental to kanji mastery. What Are On'yomi and Kun'yomi? On'yomi (音読み) — "Sound Reading" On'yomi are Japanese approximations of Chinese pronunciations at the time kanji were imported. Since different historical periods brought different Chinese dialects, some kanji have multiple on'yomi from different eras:...