Should you learn both onyomi and kunyomi?

Japanese people use both onyomi and kunyomi readings all the time. It’s useful to know both of them because otherwise you will never be able to read the language fluently.

Do Japanese use onyomi?

The kunyomi is the Japanese reading of the kanji. The Onyomi is the Chinese reading of the kanji. When multiple kanji appear in the same word it’s typically read with the onyomi pronounciations, and typically when kanji appear as a single kanji in a word it’s read as kunyomi. However there are a lot of exceptions.

What are the kan’yō-on readings of kanji?

In addition, there are Kan’yō-on ( 慣用音) readings which are mistakes which became established. In addition to the variety of Chinese-derived readings, a kanji may have several native Japanese kun-yomi readings when a kanji used for more than one meaning. For example, 行 has two kun-yomi readings, iku and okonau.

How do you learn kanji?

I do it a few different ways: 1 Make cards with kanji on the front to practise either for their meaning or pronunciation. 2 Create cards with whole sentences on them and practice reading them, kanji and all. 3 Make cards with a word in your native language on the front, and then try to write out the kanji that you would use for it.

Can a kanji have more than one meaning?

In addition to the variety of Chinese-derived readings, a kanji may have several native Japanese kun-yomi readings when a kanji used for more than one meaning. For example, 行 has two kun-yomi readings, iku and okonau. Different kun-yomi can usually be distinguished by kana placed after the kanji, called okurigana.

Why is my kanji so hard to read?

If you do a stroke backward or start in the wrong place, it can make your kanji hard to read. Imagine how much wobblier and weird it would look if you drew a check mark by starting at the very top and going backward! You’ll also find that after you practice stroke order for a bit, it becomes easier to remember kanji.