This makes it possible for someone to understand the meaning of a written word without being able to correctly say it out loud. The number of characters in use is only a small percentage of the 40-50 thousand known to be in existence. See also Hiragana . Kun readings are native Japanese pronunciations, used to translate the meaning of the character from the original Chinese. This contrasts to the on-yomi, which attempt to similate the original Chinese pronunciation.
Some characters have no kun readings, others have one or more.
See also Kanji and On-yomi . See also You . A character usually has several on-yomi pronunciations, which are Japanese approximations of the various Chinese pronunciations which changed based on historical period or region. See also Kanji and Kun-yomi . Onomotopoeia - words which mimic sounds.