Japanese Words with Chinese Characters and their Pronunciation144

Japanese is a language that is heavily influenced by Chinese, and as a result, there are many Japanese words that are written using Chinese characters. These words are known as kanji, and they can be pronounced in two different ways: the Japanese pronunciation, known as kun'yomi, and the Chinese pronunciation, known as on'yomi.

The kun'yomi pronunciation is usually more common and is used when the word is used in a native Japanese context. The on'yomi pronunciation is usually more formal and is used when the word is used in a Chinese context or when it is used to refer to something that is related to China.

Here are some examples of Japanese words with Chinese characters and their pronunciation:

Kanji
Kun'yomi
On'yomi
Meaning


日
hi
nichi
sun


本
hon
bon
book


中国
chūgoku
shina
China


日本語
nihongo
nippongo
Japanese language


漢字
kanji
kanji
Chinese characters

As you can see, the kun'yomi and on'yomi pronunciations of the same kanji can be very different. This can make it difficult for learners of Japanese to remember the correct pronunciation of words. However, with practice, it is possible to learn to recognize the different pronunciations and to use them correctly.

Here are some tips for learning the pronunciation of Japanese words with Chinese characters:
Start by learning the kun'yomi pronunciation of the kanji. This is the more common pronunciation and is used in most everyday situations.
Once you have learned the kun'yomi pronunciation of a kanji, you can then learn the on'yomi pronunciation. This pronunciation is used in more formal situations and when referring to things that are related to China.
Practice pronouncing the different pronunciations of the kanji out loud. This will help you to remember the correct pronunciation and to use it correctly in conversation.

Learning to pronounce Japanese words with Chinese characters can be a challenge, but with practice, it is possible to master this aspect of the language. By following the tips above, you can improve your pronunciation and become more confident in your ability to speak Japanese.

2025-02-17

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