I have gotten the impression that when you learn a new kanji, it is usually the on’yomi version. When you learn the vocabulary version of the kanji alone though, it is usually the kun’yomi. A vocabulary word with two kanjis are usually the on’yomi, and a okurigana word is usually kun’yomi. If I lear…

For the kanji lessons, it’s really at WaniKani’s discretion. They teach you the one they think will be most useful. This usually means the on’yomi, as it’s generally the one you find in compounds. So if you see a new word with that kanji, you might know how to read it. Sometimes the on’yomi is r…

Thank you. Shouldnt WaniKani tell you wether you are learning the on’yomi or kun’yomi for a kanji, so it will be easier to remember which one is what when you are learning vocabulary?

Just to add a little information to what pahko said, very rarely, you will encounter some kanji that only have either a kun’yomi or a on’yomi reading, so in those cases it’s not wanikani’s fault :slight_smile:

To be honest, I think it does. There’s a chance that’s a script I have and not vanilla WK, but I think it says “on’yomi” or “kun’yomi” above the kana reading on the left. I would screenshot but I don’t have any kanji lessons right now.

I’m pretty sure it does include that information by default.

Yes, it’s directly above the reading. Granted, it’s not very prominent so it’s easily overlooked, but it’s there.

Also, don’t sweat which reading is which too much… you’ll have a sense of it with experience.

Thank you very much for all your answers! :slight_smile:

This is very true. It’s very rare that you’ll hesitate between the two readings when you learn kanji as part of a specific word/phrase.

What decides if you learn On'yomi or Kun'yomi?

WaniKani Requesting Help

Myria August 16, 2019, 1:55pm 6

There’s also the Katakana Madness script that turns all on’yomi into katakana, it’s a nice way to practice katakana while you’re at it.

Topic		Replies	Views
Why wanikani kanji is not alway on'yomi? Requesting Help	6	709	April 5, 2023
Help! On'yomi versus Kun'yomi Requesting Help	11	816	September 22, 2019
Beginner question: on’yomi vs kun’yomi Japanese Language	13	233	March 13, 2026
Something I wish WaniKani did... (Readings) WaniKani	12	919	April 14, 2019
Why does WaniKani place more emphasis on the On'yomi (at least at first)? Requesting Help	10	1615	April 22, 2017

What decides if you learn On'yomi or Kun'yomi?

Related topics