Onyomi and Kunyomi Examples Explained Simply

Have you ever found yourself puzzled by how a single Japanese kanji can be read in completely different ways depending on the context? This fascinating aspect of the Japanese writing system—the distinction between onyomi and kunyomi—is essential for anyone serious about mastering Japanese. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore numerous onyomi and kunyomi examples that will help clarify this dual reading system and accelerate your Japanese learning journey.

What Are Onyomi and Kunyomi?

Before diving into specific onyomi and kunyomi examples, let’s establish a clear understanding of these two reading systems:

Onyomi (音読み) — These are readings based on the original Chinese pronunciation when kanji were imported to Japan. Typically, onyomi readings are used when kanji appear in compound words with other kanji.

Kunyomi (訓読み) — These are native Japanese readings assigned to kanji based on their meaning. Kunyomi readings are commonly used when kanji appear alone or with hiragana extensions (okurigana).

Common Onyomi and Kunyomi Examples

Let’s examine some of the most frequently used kanji and their respective readings:

1. 山 (Mountain)

• Onyomi: SAN
• Kunyomi: yama
• Example compounds:
  • 富士山 (fujisan) – Mt. Fuji (uses onyomi)
  • 山登り (yamanobori) – Mountain climbing (uses kunyomi)

2. 水 (Water)

• Onyomi: SUI
• Kunyomi: mizu
• Example compounds:
  • 水道 (suidou) – Water supply (uses onyomi)
  • 水飲み (mizunomi) – Drinking water (uses kunyomi)

3. 火 (Fire)

• Onyomi: KA
• Kunyomi: hi
• Example compounds:
  • 火災 (kasai) – Fire disaster (uses onyomi)
  • 火花 (hibana) – Spark (uses kunyomi)

4. 人 (Person)

• Onyomi: JIN, NIN
• Kunyomi: hito
• Example compounds:
  • 外国人 (gaikokujin) – Foreigner (uses onyomi)
  • 人々 (hitobito) – People (uses kunyomi)

How to Determine Which Reading to Use

One of the biggest challenges for Japanese learners is knowing when to use onyomi or kunyomi readings. Here are some general patterns to help you navigate this complexity:

1. Compound kanji words typically use onyomi readings
   • 入学 (nyuugaku) – School enrollment
   • 時間 (jikan) – Time
2. Single kanji with hiragana typically use kunyomi readings
   • 書く (kaku) – To write
   • 高い (takai) – Expensive
3. Names often use kunyomi but can be unpredictable
   • 山田 (Yamada) – A common surname using kunyomi for 山

Kanji with Multiple Onyomi or Kunyomi

Some kanji have multiple possible readings in each category, adding another layer of complexity. As we’ve seen in our previous post on Japanese date formats, context matters tremendously in Japanese. The same applies to kanji readings:

生 (Life/Raw/Birth)

• Onyomi: SEI, SHOU
• Kunyomi: i-kiru, u-mu, na-ma
• Example usage:
  • 学生 (gakusei) – Student (SEI onyomi)
  • 生きる (ikiru) – To live (ikiru kunyomi)
  • 生魚 (namazakana) – Raw fish (nama kunyomi)

Special Cases in Onyomi and Kunyomi Examples

Kanji with Only Onyomi

Some kanji, particularly those representing abstract concepts, have only onyomi readings:

• 問 (MON) – Question
• 絶 (ZETSU) – Extinction
• 秒 (BYOU) – Second (time)

Kanji with Only Kunyomi

Conversely, some kanji (especially those created in Japan) have only kunyomi readings:

• 畑 (hatake) – Field
• 峠 (touge) – Mountain pass
• 働 (hataraku) – To work

Practical Tips for Mastering Onyomi and Kunyomi

As our readers discovered in our post about mastering common Japanese words, strategic learning accelerates progress. Here are some practical tips for mastering onyomi and kunyomi:

1. Learn readings in context rather than in isolation
2. Create word associations for different readings
3. Practice with flashcards that include both readings
4. Group kanji with similar reading patterns
5. Read aloud to reinforce correct pronunciations

Onyomi and Kunyomi in Action: Example Sentences

To really understand the application of onyomi and kunyomi, let’s see them in practical sentences:

1. 山
   • 富士山は日本一高い山です。
   • Fujisan wa nihon’ichi takai yama desu.
   • Mt. Fuji is the tallest mountain in Japan. (Notice how 山 is read as “san” in 富士山 but “yama” when standing alone)
2. 読
   • 新聞を読むのが好きです。
   • Shinbun o yomu no ga suki desu.
   • I like reading newspapers. (読む uses kunyomi “yomu” with hiragana extension)
3. 語
   • 日本語を勉強しています。
   • Nihongo o benkyou shiteimasu.
   • I am studying Japanese language. (日本語 uses onyomi “go” in this compound)

The Connection to Japanese Learning

Understanding onyomi and kunyomi examples isn’t just an academic exercise—it’s fundamental to reading comprehension in Japanese. As we highlighted in our guide on how to read in Japanese, mastering these dual readings will significantly improve your ability to decipher new kanji and texts.

Want to accelerate your Japanese learning journey? Check out our Learn Japanese page for free guides that will help you master kanji, grammar, and vocabulary more efficiently!

Q&A About Onyomi and Kunyomi

Q: How do I know which reading to use for a specific kanji? A: Context determines which reading to use for kanji.

Q: Do all kanji have both onyomi and kunyomi readings? A: No, some kanji have only onyomi or only kunyomi readings.

Q: What’s the easiest way to remember different readings? A: Learning kanji in context through vocabulary words is the most effective approach.

Q: Why do Japanese kanji have two different reading systems? A: The dual reading system developed as Japan adopted Chinese characters while maintaining native Japanese words.

Q: Are there patterns that can help predict which reading to use? A: Yes, compound kanji words typically use onyomi, while single kanji with hiragana extensions usually use kunyomi.

Conclusion

Mastering the distinction between onyomi and kunyomi readings is a crucial step in your Japanese learning journey. While it may seem daunting at first, understanding these onyomi and kunyomi examples will dramatically improve your ability to read and comprehend Japanese text. Remember that consistent practice and exposure to authentic materials are key to internalizing these reading patterns.

By approaching kanji study systematically and learning readings in context, you’ll gradually develop the intuition needed to navigate the beautiful complexity of Japanese writing. For more resources to support your Japanese learning adventure, don’t forget to explore our comprehensive guides and tools!