Translation guide
In Japanese, most kanji have at least two readings: on'yomi (音読み), the Chinese-derived reading, and kun'yomi (訓読み), the native Japanese reading. This entry explains how to refer to the Chinese-derived reading itself, how to describe it, and how to understand its role in vocabulary.
The learner wants to know the Japanese word for the Chinese-derived reading of a kanji.
The standard term for the Chinese-derived reading of a kanji. Used in dictionaries and language study.
この漢字の音読みは「カイ」です。
The on'yomi of this kanji is 'kai'.
Short for 音読み, often used in dictionary abbreviations or technical contexts.
この字の音は「セイ」です。
The on reading of this character is 'sei'.
The learner wants to say that a particular reading is the Chinese-derived one.
Use this pattern to specify that a reading is the on'yomi. Replace 〜 with the reading in katakana.
「水」の音読みの「スイ」はよく使われます。
The on'yomi 'sui' of 水 is used often.
A more descriptive phrase meaning 'reading derived from China'. Less technical, good for explanations.
この漢字には中国由来の読み方と日本由来の読み方があります。
This kanji has a Chinese-derived reading and a Japanese-derived reading.
The learner wants to ask what the on'yomi of a kanji is.
Standard way to ask 'What is the on'yomi of 〜?' Replace 〜 with the kanji.
「山」の音読みは何ですか？
What is the on'yomi of '山'?
The learner wants to explain or understand that Chinese-derived readings are often used in compound words (jukugo).
A useful statement to remember: on'yomi are often used in compound words. This helps learners predict readings.
音読みは熟語によく使われます。例えば「学校」は音読みの「ガク」と「コウ」です。
On'yomi are often used in compound words. For example, '学校' uses the on'yomi 'gaku' and 'kou'.
On'yomi (音読み) is the Chinese-derived reading, often used in compound words. Kun'yomi (訓読み) is the native Japanese reading, often used when the kanji stands alone or with okurigana. Many kanji have multiple on'yomi and kun'yomi.
「水」の音読みは「スイ」、訓読みは「みず」です。
The on'yomi of 水 is 'sui', and the kun'yomi is 'mizu'.
On'yomi often end in a vowel or ん, and are usually written in katakana in dictionaries. They tend to be one or two syllables. Learning common on'yomi can help you guess the readings of unfamiliar compound words.