Japanese On-Yomi Readings Quiz

On-Yomi Readings

• On-yomi readings are one of the two main ways to pronounce kanji in Japanese, the other being kun-yomi
• The on-yomi readings are typically derived from Chinese pronunciations
• The table above shows a selection of on-yomi readings for the Japanese kana き, し, ち, に, ひ, み, り, ぎ, じ, び, and ぴ.

Key Features

• The readings are grouped based on the initial sound, followed by the vowel of the kana.
• The final sound, such as -kyo, -sho, or -jo, is consistent within each group.
• The initial sound is consistent for each syllable, but the readings are slightly different based on the vowel.
• For example, the kana き has three different on-yomi readings depending on the vowel, such as kyu (きゅ), kyo (きょ), and kya (きゃ).

Daily Words

• kyou means "today"
• kyoukai is the Japanese word for "church"
• kyoudai refers to "siblings"
• kyuukyuusha means "ambulance"
• byouin translates to "hospital"
• byou means "second" (as in time)

Jobs and Workplace

• kaisha is a "company"
• kaishain refers to an "office worker"

Transportation

• jitensha means "bicycle"
• densha refers to an "electric train"

General

• shukudai means "homework"
• shumi refers to a "hobby"
• toshokan means "library"
• ryokou means "travel"

Food and Drink

• cha means "tea"
• gyuunyuu means "milk"

Numbers

• hyaku means "one hundred"