How Japanese Kanji Reading Works
Kanji (漢字) are logographic characters originally borrowed from Chinese and adapted into the Japanese writing system over centuries. Modern Japanese uses approximately 2,136 jōyō kanji (常用漢字) — the "regular-use" characters designated by Japan's Ministry of Education. Each kanji can have multiple readings, which makes learning to read Japanese one of the most challenging aspects of the language.
Every kanji has at least two types of readings: Onyomi (音読み), the Sino-Japanese reading derived from the original Chinese pronunciation, and Kunyomi (訓読み), the native Japanese reading. The correct reading depends entirely on context — the words surrounding the kanji determine which pronunciation to use.
Kunyomi: ひ (hi), か (ka)
Examples: 日本 = にほん (nihon, Japan) · 日曜日 = にちようび (nichiyōbi, Sunday) · 今日 = きょう (kyō, today)
Our converter uses morphological analysis — the same technology used in Japanese word processors and search engines — to intelligently segment text and determine the correct context-dependent reading for each kanji. This means you get accurate hiragana readings even for kanji with many possible pronunciations.
Converter Features
Instant Conversion
Process kanji to hiragana in milliseconds using client-side morphological analysis. No server roundtrips needed.
Furigana Mode
Display hiragana readings above kanji characters using ruby text format — just like in manga and textbooks.
Romaji Output
Get romanized pronunciation for beginners who haven't yet mastered hiragana. Uses standard Hepburn romanization.
Context-Aware
Accurate readings based on surrounding word context. Handles multiple readings per kanji correctly.
One-Click Copy
Copy converted text to clipboard instantly for use in flashcards, notes, or study materials.
Audio Pronunciation
Listen to the Japanese text read aloud using your browser's built-in speech synthesis engine.
Mobile Friendly
Works perfectly on any device — phone, tablet, or desktop. No app installation needed.
100% Free
No registration, no limits, no ads. Use it as many times as you need for your Japanese studies.
Example Kanji to Hiragana Conversions
| Original (Kanji) | Hiragana | Romaji | Meaning | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 日本語 | にほんご | nihongo | Japanese language | |
| 勉強する | べんきょうする | benkyō suru | to study | |
| 食べ物 | たべもの | tabemono | food | |
| 電車 | でんしゃ | densha | train | |
| 図書館 | としょかん | toshokan | library | |
| 天気予報 | てんきよほう | tenki yohō | weather forecast |