Search from various English teachers...
マクシモー
On-yomi and Kun-yomi
Please, can someone explain what is the real difference and which one is mostly used in modern Japanese language!
ありがと!
Dec 16, 2008 7:42 AM
Answers · 1
4
Both are used in Japanese. Onyomi is the Chinese reading (not really Chinese, but an approximation of the original pronuncation) and kunyomi is the Japanese reading. The onyomi reading is usually used for kanji compounds (several characters in a row) while the kunyomi reading is usually used for the kanji by itself. (Though, there are exceptions to these rules.)
As an example,
Kunyomi: 今 ima, meaning "now"; 月 tsuki, meaning "moon". If these kanji aren't next to other kanji they're read this way. However...
Onyomi: 今月 kongetsu, meaning "this month". The onyomi reading in this case for 今 is kon, the one for 月 is getsu. You should learn at least one of both the kunyomi and onyomi readings when learning the kanji.
Sometimes several kanji can be next to eachother and read with the kunyomi anyway, like 今行きます。(行く iku=to go) meaning "I'm going now." You'll get a feel for these different readings as you study more Japanese.
December 16, 2008
Still haven’t found your answers?
Write down your questions and let the native speakers help you!
マクシモー
Language Skills
English, French, Japanese, Russian, Spanish
Learning Language
French, Japanese, Spanish
Articles You May Also Like

Same Word, Different Meaning: American, British, and South African English
10 likes · 7 Comments

How to Sound Confident in English (Even When You’re Nervous)
12 likes · 9 Comments

Marketing Vocabulary and Phrases for Business English Learners
8 likes · 2 Comments
More articles