訓読(くんよ)み

くんよみ
noun
kun'yomi, Japanese reading of kanji
education
See also: 音読(おんよ)み (Chinese reading)
1. kun'yomi, native Japanese reading of kanji
The reading of a kanji character based on the native Japanese word for its meaning. Contrasts with on'yomi (Chinese-derived reading).
「山(やま)」の訓読(くんよ)みは「やま」だ。
The kun'yomi of "山" is "yama."
送(おく)りがなが付(つ)く漢字(かんじ)は訓読(くんよ)みが多(おお)い。
Kanji with okurigana are often read with kun'yomi.
訓読(くんよ)みは日本語(にほんご)の意味(いみ)に基(もと)づいた読(よ)み方(かた)だ。
Kun'yomi are readings based on the Japanese meaning of the character.

訓読(くんよ)み literally means "meaning reading," referring to native Japanese readings.

Related words

  • 訓読(くんよ)み: kun'yomi (native Japanese reading)
  • 音読(おんよ)み: on'yomi (Chinese-derived reading)

Usage

Kun'yomi are typically used when a kanji appears alone or with okurigana (送(おく)りがな). For example, 山(やま) (yama) uses the kun'yomi, while 登山(とざん) (tozan) uses on'yomi.

Related Words

Compare: 字音(じおん) (Sino-Japanese (on) reading of a kanji)
Compare: 熟字訓(じゅくじくん) (special kanji compound reading)
Compare: 音訓(おんくん) (on'yomi and kun'yomi)
general
Added 2026.2.7 20:20 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
10000/10454_kunyomi