Kanji Readings: On'yomi and Kun'yomi
Most kanji have two types of readings: on'yomi (on, Chinese — usually in compound words: 学校 gakkō — school) and kun'yomi (kun, Japanese — for standalone words: 学ぶ manabu — to learn). Which one to use depends on the word, so kanji are learned within words, not as a list. In Japanese Zen, readings are practiced in the dictionary and quizzes.
One character, two voices. 水 sounds like 'sui' in 水曜日 (Wednesday) and like 'mizu' when it stands alone (water). Don't be scared: the language itself will tell you which voice to use if you learn kanji in words, not in isolation.
On'yomi and Kun'yomi: What's the Difference?
| Reading | Origin | Where It Appears | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| On'yomi (on) | from Chinese | in compound words of 2+ kanji | 学校 gakkō (school) |
| Kun'yomi (kun) | native Japanese | standalone words, with okurigana | 学ぶ manabu (to learn) |
Why One Character Has Multiple Readings
Chinese readings came to Japan along with the writing system and remained in borrowed words, while Japanese readings became attached to native words that existed before the characters. One character got both, and both readings have survived to this day.
How to Know Which Reading to Use?
- A word with two or more kanji in a row — usually on'yomi (中学校 chūgakkō).
- One kanji + a kana tail (okurigana) — usually kun'yomi (食べる taberu).
- Names and place names often have special readings — they are memorized separately.
- A reliable way is to learn kanji as part of words, not as isolated characters.
How to Know Which Reading Is Needed in a Word
The guideline is simple: if the character stands alone or with hiragana, it's likely kun'yomi (山 yama — mountain); if the character is attached to another kanji, it's usually on'yomi (火山 kazan — volcano). There are plenty of exceptions, so readings are memorized together with the word, not separately.
FAQ
- Why do kanji have multiple readings?
- Characters came from China with their own pronunciation (on'yomi), but the Japanese already had their own words for the same concepts (kun'yomi). So one character ended up with both a Chinese and a Japanese reading.
- How do I know whether to read on or kun?
- By the context of the word: in compound words with multiple kanji, it's usually on'yomi; in standalone words with okurigana, it's kun'yomi. That's why kanji are learned within words.
- Do I need to learn all readings at once?
- No. Take the readings that actually appear in the words you're studying. The rest will come over time when they show up in new words.
- What is okurigana?
- It's a kana tail after the kanji that shows the word form: 食べる (taberu). Okurigana usually signals that the kanji is read with kun'yomi.
Updated: 2026-06-25