This is technically a WK specific question (despite the general Japanese Language / Kanji tag), but I just reached level 36 and came across this in my lessons
Unless I am mistaken (and given I have taken pretty extensive notes since day 1 here), this appears to be the first instance where WaniKani defaults to a Nanori reading before an Onyomi or Kunyomi. It’s the first I can recall that even teaches a Nanori at all, really
I guess my question is should I expect more of this in the future?
Is this more of a common occurence deeper into the program?
Should I just mentally note that this Kanji (which seems to only be used in one specific aunt/uncle context) has a weird/special pronounciation akin to, like, how 今日 / kyou doesn’t use typical readings- saving me the larger effort of restructuring my year-long Kanji notes to account for it?
Is it even something to expect seeing in the real world, either? I have seen おじ / おば plenty in the wild just via Kana. Is this even worth the mental energy beyond an “oh yeah I can recognize that if I came across it for whatever reason”
Theres no point in even worrying about it really. It being a nanori reading will have no effective impact on you when learning. Its not relevant for 99% of learners. It’s the way that kanji is read in basically all of its most common vocabulary, so you can just remember it.
I understand its not really a satisfying answer, but it doesn’t have any meaningful implications.
This thread might be out of date but says that there’s 3 total kanji which this is the case for, and both the others are for more actual names they’re used in rather than compound readings. So it seems like the exception
I think technically, like someone said in that thread, it’s not even a nanori reading, instead it’s a 熟字訓 more like 今日 as you said. So it’s probably better to think of it as a special pronunciation.
You’ll see 叔父 and 叔母 quite frequently, so it’s fine to just learn it in those words, and not worry too much about it like Vanilla said
Thank you for the answers. I had a feeling it was going to be a case just like how you both described, so I am feeling plenty confident now with some external confirmation. Much appreciated !
