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Ateji and Jukujikun: Kanji Readings That Break the Rules

Here are the basics of "ateji" and "jukujikun" — readings unique to Japanese that don't fit the usual reading rules.

What is ateji

A way of assigning kanji to a Japanese word based purely on borrowed sound (on or kun reading), unrelated to the kanji's original meaning.

What is jukujikun

A reading where a whole compound made of multiple kanji is assigned a single unified kun reading — the defining trait is that it can't be broken down into the individual characters' own readings.

Example: today, tomorrow, yesterday

"今日" (kyou, today), "明日" (asu, tomorrow), and "昨日" (kinou, yesterday) are classic examples of jukujikun, where the reading applies to the whole compound.

Example: red beans, shrimp, souvenir

"小豆" (azuki, red beans), "海老" (ebi, shrimp), and "土産" (miyage, souvenir/local specialty) are also frequently cited examples of jukujikun/ateji that can't be explained by the individual kanji's on/kun readings alone.

Ateji commonly seen in personal names

In given names, so-called "sparkly name" (kirakira name) style ateji — assigning a unique reading to a kanji while still incorporating its meaning or an intended wish — has drawn attention in recent years.

Older ateji applied to loanwords

Historical ateji also exist that assigned kanji to the sound of a foreign loanword, such as "珈琲" (koohii, coffee) and "倶楽部" (kurabu, club) — some of these are still used today.

How to look up an unfamiliar reading

Since ateji and jukujikun are often listed as their own dictionary entries, looking up the whole word rather than an individual kanji makes it easier to find the reading.

Why some kanji fall outside the reading rules

Japanese writing developed by combining onyomi (borrowed Chinese pronunciation) with kunyomi (kanji matched to pre-existing native Japanese meaning). Jukujikun and ateji are largely believed to be cases where, through this process, a fixed reading became attached to an entire word rather than to individual characters.

Ateji and the official list of regular-use kanji

Some ateji and jukujikun are officially listed as special readings in an appendix to Japan's official regular-use kanji list. "今日" and "明日" are classic examples, recognized as formal readings taught in schools.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are ateji and jukujikun the same thing?

Strictly speaking, jukujikun refers specifically to a whole compound assigned a single kun reading, while ateji more broadly refers to assigning kanji while disregarding sound or meaning — but in practice the two terms are often used somewhat interchangeably.

How much freedom is there in choosing ateji for a name?

The range of kanji legally permitted in official family registers is set by law, but the readings themselves have historically included ateji-style naming. Since rules around name readings are an area under ongoing review, it's best to check current guidance from the relevant government authority.