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Different readings of compound kanji

dhmkhkk

後輩
25 Jun 2017
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I would like to start this thread as a place where compound kanji readings could be kindly explained in detail. I am now learning vocab on wanikani and they often give two (or more) different readings of the same word. So I would really like to know when to use which.

One of such words is "insult" - 悪口 -> わるくち, わるぐち, あっこう. What is the difference and when do you use each of them?

P.S. sorry if such thread already exists.
 
わるくち and わるぐち are equally used. あっこう(or あくこう, あっく) is almost obsolete. When used as the stem of a -suru verb 悪口する, the reading あっこう/あくこう/あっく is only used, and わるくち/わるぐち is not used, but 悪口する is also classical/obsolete anyway.
 
Could you please also help me with this one: 一束. いっそく or ひとたば?

Also, when I want to use 風 in the meaning of "in a way/manner" (風に), do I say ふうに or does かぜに work as well?
 
いっそく confers the meaning of "a handful/a heap" while ひとたば means "a bundle/ a sheaf"

You can not use かぜに to mean "in a way/manner"
 
Hmm, although dictionaries contain いっそく, I believe it's not used except in classical or written language. I would use ひとたば for almost all cases.
 
There are many examples in Japanese were either the Kun or On readings are both acceptable. However, there are some words which should be read all in one form. 悪口 for example is commonly read as 'わるくち'. Tricky, this is actually two words put in one. Therefore you read them with Kun readings (single words or words followed with okurigana are read with Kun, words with 2 or more kanji are typically On readings). Most words are read either all Kun or On, but there are the occasional 'special readings'. Like 今日, commonly read as 'きょう' but can be read or spoken as 'こんにち'. The only way to really be able to be able to tell whether which reading is correct is memorization...which sucks! But, 9/10 times its all read in its Kun form. (PS. If you are moderate in Japanese you will probably start to be able to listen and pick the version that sound proper (rolls off the tongue) or more correct, if you get what I'm trying to say.)
 
Could you please also help me with this one: 一束. いっそく or ひとたば?

Also, when I want to use 風 in the meaning of "in a way/manner" (風に), do I say ふうに or does かぜに work as well?

You would use ふうに not かぜに. かぜ means 'wind' while its other reading is not. Tricky!
 
Thanks. Is there a difference when to use which?
Normally On readings. Like Toritoribe said, academic and or formal writings are On such as newspapers, reports, academic writings, and books. Most Kun readings are followed by Kana so it should help differentiate which readings to use.
 
Most Kun readings are followed by Kana so it should help differentiate which readings to use.

I am well aware of that. And yet 身体 can be read both ways. It's not always like this, most compoumd kanji have on'yomi. I was just curious about those who have both readings.
 
Normally On readings.
I don't agree with that. からだ and しんたい are both used, as I wrote in my previous post.
Here's examples of 身体 whose furigana からだ was put by the writer (from 青空文庫).

元々頑丈にできた身体だから
彼岸過迄 夏目漱石著

半平は身体の一部に異常を発見したのだった。
幸運の黒子 海野十三著

歩く時に非常に変な恰好をして身体を伸ばしたり縮めたりするのですが、
こほろぎの死 村山籌子著

後から来た人は屈んだ平井の身体を押したのでひよろひよろとした。
御門主 與謝野晶子著

砂地に立ってても身体が揺ぎそうに思われて、
星あかり 泉鏡花著

あまり飲むと身体にさわるよと人に言われても、
正覚坊 豊島与志雄著

触覚さえもが私の身体から蒸発して了って
火星の運河 江戸川乱歩著

あの痩せこけた小さな身体に、
いなか、の、じけん 夢野久作著

夢が醒めたように身体も軽くなったので、
一つ枕 柳川春葉著

ご主人はどこか身体が悪くなかったですか
自殺か他殺か 小酒井不木著
 
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