訓

• Reading: くん
• Romaji: kun
• Kanji breakdown: 訓 (kun) — instruction, native reading
• Pronunciation: /kɯ.n/

Meaning

Kun-reading; the native Japanese reading of a Chinese character. Also means instruction or precept.

A noun referring to the native Japanese pronunciation assigned to kanji, as opposed to 音 (on, the Chinese-derived reading). Essential terminology for language study. In the pair 訓読み (kun-yomi) and 音読み (on-yomi), learners must understand both systems to read Japanese correctly.

Examples

1. この漢字の訓読みを教えてください。 Please tell me the kun-reading of this kanji.
2. 訓読みと音読みの両方を覚えなければならない。 You have to memorize both the kun-reading and the on-reading.
3. 山の訓読みはやまで、音読みはサンです。 The kun-reading of 山 is 'yama,' and the on-reading is 'san.

Usage Guide

Context: language study, education, kanji learning

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

The kanji 訓 combines 言 (speech) and 川 (river/flow). Originally meant 'to instruct' in Chinese, later specialized in Japanese to mean the native reading assigned to borrowed Chinese characters.

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal