Kanji Readings: On'yomi, Kun'yomi, Jūbako-yomi (N4-N3) [JLPT N4]
Content by NTJ Kuma · Nihongo to Japan editorial team · Updated July 27, 2026
「山（さん/やま）」「水（すい/みず）」「人気（にんき）vs 人気（ひとけ）」 — the rules and pitfalls of kanji readings.
Is 「山」 read “さん” or “やま”? — on'yomi and kun'yomi
「富士山(さん)」 vs 「山(やま)に登る」 — same 「山」, so why different readings? Because Japanese kanji have two reading systems: on'yomi = mimicking ancient Chinese pronunciation (for kanji compounds: 富士山, 火山); kun'yomi = the native Japanese reading (for standalone/native words: 山, 山道). This guide covers telling on'yomi from kun'yomi, how to judge, and mixed-reading traps like 重箱読み.
Core: on'yomi (Chinese-like) vs kun'yomi (native)
A kanji often has several readings, in two families:
- On'yomi = mimics ancient Chinese (sounds Chinese-like): 山(さん), 水(すい), 人(じん・にん). For kanji compounds (火山 = かざん, 人口 = じんこう).
- Kun'yomi = native Japanese reading (paired with the Japanese meaning): 山(やま), 水(みず), 人(ひと). For standalone characters, native words (山に登る, 水を飲む).
Test: a kanji compound → usually on'yomi; a standalone character or native word → usually kun'yomi.
The reading systems
| Reading | Origin | Example (山) |
|---|---|---|
| on'yomi | ancient Chinese | 富士山 (さん) |
| kun'yomi | native Japanese | 山 (やま) |
| 重箱読み | on ＋ kun mix | 台所 (だい・どころ) |
| 湯桶読み | kun ＋ on mix | 手本 (て・ほん) |
See it in context
- 「山」: 富士山 (さん, on'yomi)／山 (やま, kun'yomi) に登る. — on/kun
- 「本」: 日本 (にほん, on)／本 (ほん, on, “book”)／絵本 (えほん). — on'yomi
- 「図書館」 (と・しょ・かん): all on'yomi (a kanji compound). — on'yomi
- 「本棚」 (ほん・だな): 本 (on) ＋ 棚 (kun) = 重箱読み. — mixed
- 「人気」 (にんき) vs 「人」 (ひと): different words, different readings. — on/kun
⚠️ Easy traps to avoid
① On vs kun by “is it a compound?” Kanji compounds are usually on'yomi (火山 = かざん, 勉強 = べんきょう); standalone characters or native words are usually kun'yomi (山 = やま, 勉める = つとめる). The most practical test.
② Chinese-background learners: meaning's easy, readings need separate memorizing. You know 「山」 means mountain, but さん (on) and やま (kun) must be learned separately. Readings are your battleground (meanings mostly carry over).
③ 重箱・湯桶読み are mixed-reading exceptions. 台所 (だい ＋ どころ = on ＋ kun), 手本 (て ＋ ほん = kun ＋ on) — irregular mixes, memorized individually.
🔄 Compare with similar forms: on'yomi／kun'yomi／mixed
| Reading | Trait | Example |
|---|---|---|
| on'yomi | Chinese-like, for compounds | 火山 (かざん) |
| kun'yomi | native, for standalone/native words | 山 (やま) |
| 重箱読み | on ＋ kun (on first) | 台所 |
| 湯桶読み | kun ＋ on (kun first) | 手本 |
💡 An exam judgment tip
For Chinese-background learners, a kanji's “meaning” is your edge — the “reading” is what to attack: each character has an on'yomi (Chinese-like: さん) and a kun'yomi (native: やま), and you must learn them separately. The most practical test: kanji compounds (two or more kanji) usually take on'yomi (火山 = かざん, 図書館 = としょかん); a standalone character or native verb usually takes kun'yomi (山 = やま, 登る = のぼる). For mixed readings (台所, 手本), just memorize them as exceptions. Grasp “compound → on, standalone → kun” and you'll get readings ~80% right.
❓ Common questions
Q: How do I tell whether a kanji takes on'yomi or kun'yomi?
The most practical test: is it a “kanji compound”? A word of two or more kanji → usually on'yomi (火山 = かざん, 勉強 = べんきょう, 図書館 = としょかん); a standalone kanji, or a native verb/adjective → usually kun'yomi (山 = やま, 水 = みず, 登る = のぼる, 高い = たかい). There are exceptions (mixed readings), but “compound → on, standalone → kun” gets most right.
Q: Why do Chinese-background learners need to focus on readings?
Because your meanings mostly carry over (you already know 山, 水, 火), which is an edge; but the readings are all new — the same 「山」 has さん (on) and やま (kun), and Chinese “shān” doesn't help. So your focus isn't “memorizing meanings” but “which reading a character takes in which word.” Use your meaning edge and pour your time into readings.
🖊️ Practice Quiz
Q1. What is the kun'yomi of 「山」?
(A) さん (B) やま (C) ざん (D) せん
Q2. What kind of reading is 「図書館」?
(A) kun ＋ kun
(B) on ＋ on (a Sino compound)
(C) on ＋ kun (jūbako reading)
(D) kun ＋ on (yutō reading)
Q3. What's the difference between 「人気 (にんき)」 and 「人気 (ひとけ)」?
(A) exactly the same
(B) にんき: popularity; ひとけ: signs of a person's presence
(C) にんき: presence; ひとけ: popularity
(D) both are kun'yomi
Q4. Where does on'yomi come from?
(A) Japan's original native readings
(B) imitating Chinese pronunciation (brought when kanji entered Japan)
(C) borrowed from English
(D) borrowed from Korean
Q5. What kind of reading is 「本棚 (ほんだな)」?
(A) on ＋ on
(B) kun ＋ kun
(C) on (ほん) ＋ kun (たな) = jūbako reading
(D) kun (ほん) ＋ on (たな) = yutō reading
Answer Key
1. (B) やま ── the kun'yomi of 山 is やま (Japan's native reading). The on'yomi is さん (e.g. 富士山, 登山).
2. (B) on ＋ on ── 図書館 (としょかん) is an on ＋ on Sino compound.
3. (B) ── にんき = popularity; ひとけ = signs of a person being around.
4. (B) ── on'yomi imitates Chinese pronunciation, brought when kanji entered Japan.
5. (C) ── 本棚 (ほんだな) = on (ほん) ＋ kun (たな) = a jūbako reading.