Why are There Different Ways to Read a Single Kanji Character? #Shorts

Question from the comments! "Why are There Different Ways to Read a Single Kanji Character?"

Japanese kanji characters have two different ways of reading them called “On-yomi (On-reading)” and “Kun-yomi(Kun-reading).” On-yomi is the way of reading that is derived from the original Chinese pronunciation, and Kun-yomi is the unique way of reading it in Japanese.

Generally, On-yomi is used when there are two or more Kanji characters combined together to make a word, and Kun-yomi is used when it’s independent or combined with Hiragana.

However, this is the “general” rule. Just like in any language, there are tons of exceptions. For example, combining the On-yomi and Kun-yomi together in one word, or two kanji characters put together but still use the Kun-yomi. In the end, you would have to properly study Japanese in order to fully understand the differences.

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There is no intention of denying other theories and cultural aspects

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▼Please support me through Ko-fi (a donation platform like Patreon)▼

▼Let's ask Shogo Merchandise Shop▼
Where you can buy t-shirts, hoodies, mugs, stickers, etc. of cute Ukiyoe animal characters and logos of Let’s ask Shogo:

▼The BEST online katana shop for martial arts (Iaido, Kendo, etc.): Tozando▼
Everything I use for my katana training is bought at this shop! I still use the first training katana I bought in 2016, and it is still in good shape!

▼The recommended online katana shop for decorations and cosplay: Mini Katana▼
*Get 15% OFF off all their products by purchasing through my affiliate link

▼Where you can meet me in Kyoto, Japan | Yushinkan Samurai Experience with Modern-day Musashi▼
A 90-minute experience in Japan where beginners can learn how to wield, draw, sheath, and swing the katana from the modern-day Musashi! I, Shogo, will be your interpreter to lead you into the wonderful world of samurai martial arts!

▼Who is Shogo? What is this channel about?▼

▼Related videos on this channel▼
-Why I Couldn't Get a Full Score on JLPT | A Native Japanese Tries JLPT N5~N1
-Is Duolingo Really a Good Way to Study Japanese? | A Japanese Man Reacts to Duolingo
-I Asked the World’s Most Renowned Polyglot How to Correctly Study Japanese

▼MY DREAM▼

“To make every Japan lovers’ dream come true, by making Japan a more secure, comfortable, and safer place for everyone to visit, study, and live in”

I will be using the profit I gain from this channel at restaurants, hotels, and cultural facilities in Kyoto to introduce them. The more you watch the videos on this channel, Kyoto and Japan will become a more exciting place, and you can support your own and others’ dreams in the future even more.

▼Join our Membership▼
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●Membership benefits
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-Weekly Zoom call or live stream
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*Please ask me questions through the DM here!（⚠️I do not use e-mail）

[cielwinchester]

Ahh yes, I was waiting for the "however" in just explaining the simplest way about kanji.

[lonelywolf]

Japan: we read in spiral because we can

[NiaJustNia]

There are Kanji reading competitions (that's probably not the right word, it's like voluntary exams but there's a leader board for the scores) because even most Japanese people don't know every kanji pronunciation outside of common usage

[LetsaskShogo]

Question from the comments! "Why are There Different Ways to Read a Single Kanji Character?"

Japanese kanji characters have two different ways of reading them called “On-yomi (On-reading)” and “Kun-yomi(Kun-reading).” On-yomi is the way of reading that is derived from the original Chinese pronunciation, and Kun-yomi is the unique way of reading it in Japanese.

Generally, On-yomi is used when there are two or more Kanji characters combined together to make a word, and Kun-yomi is used when it’s independent or combined with Hiragana.

However, this is the “general” rule. Just like in any language, there are tons of exceptions. For example, combining the On-yomi and Kun-yomi together in one word, or two kanji characters put together but still use the Kun-yomi. In the end, you would have to properly study Japanese in order to fully understand the differences.

If you’d like to learn more about Japanese traditional culture, Kyoto, and social problems in Japan, please check out my channel & subscribe!

*The content is based on personal studies and experience
There is no intention of denying other theories and cultural aspects

[nidohime]

Also since they are ideograms each kanji represents an idea rather than a word, and since there are based on ideas they can differ on place and time. That's why some of them can have many meanings depending of the context of the text.

[kakalukium]

Tbh, i really enjoy learning kanji. It does make reading so much faster. Once you grasp the concept, it becomes easier.
Like makes perfect sense.

[susanroberts]

your traditional clothes are gorgeous!!

[balllee]

Andddd…..Some kanji have multiple On-yomi variations, Go-On-Yomi and Kan-On-Yomi. Go-On-Yomi are generally older, from about the 5th or 6th century AD.

一期一会 (Ichigo Iche) is read in go-on-yomi

Some multiple knaji words are read in kun-yomi :

身勝手 (Migatte)

And…..some multiple kanji words are read in a combination of on- and kun-yomi :

案内係 (Annaigakari, first two kanji have on-yomi, last has kun-yomi reading)

Last….some words have assigned readings like 分身 (bunshin) can be read as irezumi and 欧州 (ōshū) can be read as Europe.

[DimiDzi]

as far as I remember there was a way for conveying the meaning and a way for conveying the sound of a word

[UzumakiHarutoJP]

the reading can also change depending on surrounding kana
関= かん、せき、ぜき、かか、かかわ

[ankokunokayoubi]

Also not mentioned 'nanori' i.e. kanji for names and things can go super wild for this one, like there are many possible kanjis to write 'Akira' or 'Satoshi'.

Also by mentioning 'Satoshi' I mean the Japanese names, not the crypto stuffs.

[maisakurajima]

I'm so much Interested in leading Japanese. I'm Lucky that i had Japanese as a subject in my だいがく for 4 Months

[HisDudeness]

I kinda picked up on this before watching this short. The kanji for Kami, for example, can also be pronounced as “-gami”, “Kamu” or “Jin” depending on other kanji or hiragana being used.

[RadenWA]

Japanese is what happens when you put a logographic short syllable language into a phonemic long syllable language

[yukaroj]

I love the Japanese language and despite how annoying it may be im current trying to stick it out and learn it

[Moepowerplant]

I get the impression that the exceptions to the general rule happen because in the end, whether to use one reading or the other (or in combination) depends on convenience, that is, how do I convey as much of the exact words I actually mean without being tongue-tied?

[vampiregirl]

I remember asking my Japanese teacher in college this question and how to identify which reading to use. He replied with "you just know. I don't know why it is the way it is"

[Hiyapartyz]

It makes sense, since kanji are hanzi that were adopted and then adapted to fit the Japanese language. I can see cases where a word in Japanese pronounces a kanji differently than another because they are different *words*. Kanji like hanzi are orthographic, so what comes first is the meaning of the character and then pronunciation. Part of weirdness of these characters is knowing the meaning of them but not knowing the pronunciation and vice versa.
Of course, there could be cases where certain words were changed to fit with the common pronunciation of a kanji, but I’m sure about that (and it seems a bit unlikely).
I hope that was easy to read; I think the language I used could be better

[susantadas]

Pls make a full video on Kanji..I'm very confused with on yomi and yomi and also with it's exceptions