## What are "kun" and "on" readings (Kun / On)? Most kanji have two kinds of reading. On the quiz answer screen we show them on separate rows: "Kun" (訓) and "On" (音). ### The "Kun" reading The reading that maps a kanji onto a native Japanese word — one that existed before kanji arrived from China. A "Kun" reading often stands on its own as a whole word and takes okurigana (trailing kana). - 山 → yama (mountain) - 川 → kawa (river) - 食べる → ta-beru (to eat) ### The "On" reading The reading based on the original Chinese pronunciation of the kanji. "On" readings appear most often inside compound words (two or more kanji together). - 山 → san (e.g. 登山 *tozan*, mountain climbing) - 川 → sen (e.g. 河川 *kasen*, rivers) - 食 → shoku (e.g. 食事 *shokuji*, a meal) ### Rules of thumb - Stands alone with okurigana, meaning clear from a single character → likely a "kun" reading - Used inside a compound word → likely an "on" reading A single kanji can have several "kun" and "on" readings. In the quiz you practise the specific reading that was asked.