Onyomi and Kunyomi:

 

How to use kanji for Onyomi and Kunyomi. What the difference?

## Onyomi and Kunyomi:

### What's the Difference?
* **Onyomi** is the Chinese-derived reading of a kanji.
* **Kunyomi** is the Japanese reading of a kanji.

### How to Use Them
1. **Single Kanji:** Often uses Kunyomi.
* Example: 木 (ki) - tree
2. **Compound Words:** Often uses Onyomi.
* Example: 新聞 (shinbun) - newspaper (新 shin - new, 聞 bun - hear)
3. **Exceptions:** There are many exceptions to these rules.

### Why It's Complicated
* **Multiple Readings:** Many kanji have multiple Onyomi and Kunyomi.
* **Context is Key:** The correct reading depends on the word or context.
* **Historical Influences:** The choice of reading can be influenced by historical factors.

### Tips for Learning
* **Learn in Context:** Study kanji within words rather than in isolation.
* **Use a Kanji Dictionary:** Look up kanji to find all possible readings and examples.
* **Practice Writing:** Writing kanji helps solidify the character and its readings.
* **Immerse Yourself:** Read Japanese materials to see kanji used in various contexts.

### Example
Let's take the kanji "本" (hon).

* **Kun'yomi:** 本 (hon) - book
* **Onyomi:** 本 (moto) - original, root

As you can see, the same kanji can have different meanings based on its reading.