On'yomi

On'yomi (音読み, [oɰ̃jomi], lit. "sound(-based) reading"), or the Sino-Japanese reading, is the reading of a kanji based on the historical Chinese pronunciation of the character. A single kanji might have multiple on'yomi pronunciations reflecting the Chinese pronunciations of different periods or regions.^[1]^[2] On'yomi are generally classified into go-on, kan-on, tō-on and kan'yō-on.

Some kanji were introduced from different parts of China at different times, and so have multiple on'yomi, and often multiple meanings.

^ Coulmas, Florian (1991). Writing Systems of the World. p. 125. ISBN 978-0631180289.
^ Shibatani, Masayoshi (2008). The Languages of Japan. Cambridge University Press. p. 130. ISBN 978-0521369183.

[Coulmas-1] Coulmas, Florian (1991). Writing Systems of the World. p. 125. ISBN 978-0631180289.

[Shibatani-2] Shibatani, Masayoshi (2008). The Languages of Japan. Cambridge University Press. p. 130. ISBN 978-0521369183.

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