Onyomi vs Kunyomi: Start Reading Japanese Kanji Like a Pro!
What Are Onyomi and Kunyomi? Discover the Dual Reading System of Japanese Kanji!
Onyomi and kunyomi are two different ways to read kanji in Japanese. Understanding both is crucial for mastering kanji since many of them have both types of readings (often multiple!).The Difference Between Onyomi and Kunyomi: Chinese vs. Japanese Readings
Onyomi (音読み) comes from Chinese readings of kanji, imported to Japan during the introduction of Chinese characters. Kunyomi (訓読み), on the other hand, comes from native Japanese words that were paired with kanji to represent their meanings.
For example, the kanji "山" (meaning "mountain") has the kunyomi reading "yama," and the onyomi reading "san" (as in 登山, tozan, mountain climbing). Similarly, the kanji "日" (meaning "day" or "sun") has the kunyomi reading "hi" (used in 朝日, asahi, morning sun) and the onyomi reading "nichi" (like we see in the word 日曜日, nichiyoubi, Sunday). Another common kanji is "川," which means "river." Its kunyomi reading is "kawa," used in standalone words like "川" (kawa, river), and its onyomi reading is "sen," as seen in compound words like "河川" (kasen, rivers).
The difference between onyomi and kunyomi is also influenced by context. For instance, when kanji are used in compounds (熟語, jukugo), such as in names or technical terms, the onyomi reading is more common, whereas kunyomi is often used when the kanji stands alone or with hiragana. Understanding these patterns can help you read and interpret kanji more effectively.
How Kanji Readings Change Based on Onyomi and Kunyomi
As we mentioned in the last section, kanji readings can change significantly depending on whether they are used in compounds or as standalone words. Typically, compound kanji words utilize onyomi readings, while kunyomi is more prevalent in single kanji expressions. For example, in the compound 水曜日 (suiyoubi), meaning "Wednesday," the kanji "水" is read using its onyomi "sui." However, when used alone as "水," which means "water," it takes on the kunyomi reading "mizu." This distinction is crucial for learners, as context dictates which reading to use.
Another example can be seen with the kanji 学 (meaning "study" or "learning"). In a compound word like 学校 (gakkou, meaning "school"), the onyomi reading "gaku" is used. Conversely, when used in a more native context, such as 学ぶ (manabu, meaning "to learn"), it takes the kunyomi reading. Similarly, for the kanji 竹 (bamboo), in the compound word 竹林 (takebayashi, meaning "bamboo grove"), the onyomi "take" is employed, while in its standalone form, it retains the kunyomi reading "take." Recognizing these patterns helps learners navigate the intricacies of kanji effectively, enhancing both reading comprehension and vocabulary development.