GUIDE深度 · Deep dive
On Readings vs Kun Readings
On readings are closer to Chinese pronunciation and often appear in compounds; kun readings are native Japanese and often appear when a character stands alone. A character can have several readings; learn the common ones first and expand through vocabulary.
How to tell
Kanji compounds often use on readings, as in 日本 (にほん).
Kanji plus okurigana often uses kun, as in 食べる (たべる).
Strategy
Learn one common word per character, not every reading.
Memorize readings with words, not in isolation.
FAQ
Why so many readings?
Borrowed Chinese sounds and native Japanese overlap, plus sound changes.
On or kun first?
Follow the word; learn whichever appears in high-frequency vocabulary first.