Hey, need some help with my Japanese and I have also some exams which I have to pass soon. The part I’m having trouble with is mostly about recognizing On-readings and Kun-readings. I’ve already searched about it a lot but couldn’t find any other rules and I’ve also asked to my Japanese friends but they can’t even handle it yet. I need some hints to recognize if it’s On or Kun quicker.
They said that there are “some situations” where it’s somehow possible to predict, but still there is no specific rule that always applies..
Does anyone know of a more useful rule? Just like seeing okurigana and guessing Kun-readings etc.
2 comments
The rule is that Onyomi will appear in compound words and Kunyomi will typically be kanji by itself surrounded by kana. There are exceptions to this and names take the Kunyomi, but it should work most of the time.
Basically what /u/meryltitch said here, about 90% of the time, but there are some exceptions (of course). Some kanji will always be read as on yomi regardless of combining with other kanji, like 子 so you get words like お子さん okosan or 一人子 hitoriko, or に関する etc