noun
Japanese-specific kanji reading; native Japanese reading of a kanji
Linguistic term for a kanji reading that reflects a native Japanese meaning rather than the original Chinese-derived meaning. Used especially in discussions of kanji etymology and Japanese lexicography.
「鮭」を「さけ」と読むのは国訓の一例だ。
Reading 鮭 as さけ is one example of a Japanese-specific kanji reading.
国訓は、漢字の本来の意味とは異なる日本独自の読み方を指す。
国訓 refers to a uniquely Japanese reading that differs from the original meaning of the kanji.
Compound of 国 (country, here meaning Japan) and 訓 (reading, interpretation). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the term is used in Japanese linguistics to describe kanji readings that are native Japanese interpretations rather than Chinese-derived.