Difference between Onyomi and Kunyomi
Hi, I recently returned to pick up my Japanese studies and after reading some guides and watching some videos on youtube, I'm still confused about Onyomi and Kunyomi Kanji meanings. I understand one is derived from the Chinese Meaning, but how am I to know the difference when I read it? Am I right in saying that Onyomi is when it is by itself and Kunyomi is when it's with other characters only? Or is this another Japanese thing that just takes time to get to know?

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Answer

>> Onyomi is when it is by itself and Kunyomi is when it's with other characters only

眠い　（adjective ねむい=NEMUI=sleepy）  This"NEMU" is Kunyomi because it accompany "OKURIGANA" as you told "when it's with other characters only"

睡眠 (noun  すいみん=SUIMIN=the sleep) This "みん" is ONYOMI and it  never need OKURIGANA and The character is used in ２字熟語 or ４字熟語(word composed of 2 Chinese Characters or 4Chinese Characters )

but  in ２字熟語 or ４字熟語(word composed of 2 Chinese Characters or 4Chinese Characters ) , Onyomi and Kunyomi's characters possibly mingled with each other. so , Whenever you encounter the new Chinese Characters , you should memorize both ways of "YOMI"  to distinguish and avoid the confusion.

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