GUIDEDeep 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.
Sources
Related calculators
Japanese N5 Kanji: Gamified 60-Card Deck60 N5 kanji as level cards with 1/3/7/14/30/60/120-day review and on/kun readings.More guides
Hiragana vs KatakanaRead guideSpaced Repetition and the Forgetting CurveRead guideAn N5 Kanji Study OrderRead guideHow to Study N4 KanjiRead guideKEEP READING
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