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on'yomi and kun'yomi; Chinese and Japanese kanji readings
The two types of readings for kanji characters: the on'yomi (Sino-Japanese reading derived from Chinese pronunciation) and the kun'yomi (native Japanese reading).
漢字の音訓を覚える。
I memorize the on and kun readings of kanji.
この漢字にはいくつの音訓がありますか。
How many on and kun readings does this kanji have?
常用漢字表には各漢字の音訓が示されている。
The Jouyou Kanji chart shows the on and kun readings for each kanji.
音訓 is a compound of 音 (sound; on'yomi) + 訓 (reading; kun'yomi). It is an essential term for anyone studying Japanese writing.
音読み (on'yomi) is the reading derived from the original Chinese pronunciation, typically used in compound words (熟語). 訓読み (kun'yomi) is the native Japanese reading, often used when the kanji stands alone or with okurigana.
EXAMPLE:
The kanji 山 has the on'yomi サン (as in 山脈, mountain range) and the kun'yomi やま (as in 山, mountain).
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 音訓を調べる: look up the on and kun readings
- 音訓索引: on/kun reading index
- 音訓表: table of on and kun readings
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 音読み: on'yomi — the Chinese-derived reading alone
- 訓読み: kun'yomi — the native Japanese reading alone
- 読み方: way of reading — a more general term for how to read something