PlayInfoBox

Home /Language /Onyomi vs. Kunyomi: Why Kanji Have Multiple Readings

Onyomi vs. Kunyomi: Why Kanji Have Multiple Readings

Here's why a single kanji can have multiple readings, and the difference between "onyomi" and "kunyomi."

Onyomi is based on the original Chinese pronunciation

When kanji were introduced from China, the reading based on that character's Chinese pronunciation became its "onyomi." Because pronunciation varied slightly by the era and region the character was introduced from, some kanji retain multiple onyomi readings.

Kunyomi assigns a pre-existing native Japanese word

Before kanji arrived, Japan already had its own native vocabulary (yamato kotoba); kunyomi is the reading created by matching a kanji to a native word with a close meaning. This is why, if you know a kanji's meaning, its kunyomi reading is often easier to guess.

Compound words often use onyomi; standalone characters often use kunyomi

As a rough rule of thumb, two-or-more-character compound words (e.g., ε±±θ„ˆ = "sanmyaku," mountain range) tend to use onyomi, while a standalone character with an attached okurigana ending (e.g., ε±± = "yama," mountain) tends to use kunyomi. There are many exceptions, though, so treat this as a general guide rather than a strict rule.

Some kanji have more than one onyomi

For example, "明" is read "myou" in some compounds (明ζ—₯ = "myounichi," tomorrow) and "mei" in others (ζ˜Žη™½ = "meihaku," obvious). This is believed to result from different historical layers of pronunciation β€” go-on, kan-on, and tou-on β€” each introduced during a different era, surviving in Japanese today.

Some readings can't be broken into individual on/kun readings

Words like "今ζ—₯" (kyou, today) or "倧人" (otona, adult) are assigned a single special reading for the whole compound that can't be broken down character by character β€” these are called "jukujikun."

Why Japanese kanji have multiple readings

Kanji were originally created to write Chinese, but Japanese already had its own spoken language and (lack of) writing system. When kanji were imported, both the imported pronunciation (onyomi) and the pre-existing native Japanese word based on meaning (kunyomi) ended up attached to the same character β€” resulting in kanji with multiple readings.

How to approach an unfamiliar reading

When you encounter an unfamiliar kanji, first check whether it's used standalone or as part of a compound, then apply the rough rule of thumb to guess the likely reading. Because exceptions and jukujikun are common, though, checking a dictionary is the surest way to know for certain.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I learn onyomi or kunyomi first?

In Japanese school education, both the onyomi and kunyomi of a given kanji are typically taught together as its representative readings, without a fixed order β€” students gradually get comfortable with both through textbooks and everyday reading.

Do names and place names also follow standard onyomi/kunyomi rules?

Names and place names frequently use special readings that don't follow the standard onyomi/kunyomi rules. Since these can't reliably be guessed from the rules, they typically need to be checked or memorized individually.