So now that I have a modest amount of kanji under my belt, I’ve been seeing how many Japanese names I can read. But I’ve found that some names seem to have weird kanji readings that I can’t find in the dictionary. One example off the top of my head is 和子. This name is pronounced as かずこbut from what…

Yeah names don’t really “make sense” too often. People like to be creative with what kanji are used to represent certain names, lots of names have been around for a long time so they used old readings, and there’s a whole class of readings specifically for names. (I think that’s what namori readin…

[image] Mr_Flibble: I looked up the kanji and don’t see any readings even close to かず. You also need to look up nanori (name) readings, not just onyomi or kunyomi (though they can also be used). For instance, here they are in Jisho. [image] Such lists are too long to actually be helpful i…

[image] phyro: and there’s a whole class of readings specifically for names. (I think that’s what namori readings are? Someone will probably correct me on that) That’s precisely correct. In this case, かず happens to be one of the nanori for 和 - the full list, if you’re interested, is あい、いず、…

[image] Belthazar: Even native speakers frequently have to be told how to read someone’s given name on meeting them for the first time, so don’t feel distressed if you’re struggling. Though in this case, I showed it to my wife and she instantly said かずこ.

[image] Leebo: wife Oh! Eh, I’m not often on the forums these days, so it might be old, but congrats! (Also sorry for derailing)

[image] Naphthalene: Oh! Eh, I’m not often on the forums these days, so it might be old, but congrats! (Also sorry for derailing) Haha, thanks… I didn’t exactly announce it, so yeah. Still waiting to have a ceremony when everything settles down :slight_smile:

Appreciate all the replies. It has been very informative if not a little disheartening that in addition to the numerous on and kun readings that there are more to know that are specific to names. I guess I’ll just have to not worry about them and pick them up gradually. One other question though… t…

I’m sure it’s possible for place names to use these readings as well, since nanori readings are basically just “more Japanese-origin readings, but ones that tend to be used in names” and so there’s nothing stopping them from showing up in place names. Place names are different though in that they h…

If that frustrates you wait till you find out about “kira kira” names where they write 騎士 and pronounce it ないと or 空 and pronounce it すかい

Kanji readings for given names that don't make sense

Japanese Language

Belthazar September 12, 2021, 2:03am 8

Don’t think it’s too old. The earliest post I can find of Leebo using the word “wife” that’s not in reference to someone else’s is eight days ago.

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Kanji readings for given names that don't make sense

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