Most Kanji have multiple readings. For example 人 has got the readings:
- ひと
- ジン
- ニン
Does the meaning change when the Kanji is read differently. I don't think that the meaning of this Kanji changes based on its reading but are there some Kanji that do?
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Sign up to join this communityMost Kanji have multiple readings. For example 人 has got the readings:
Does the meaning change when the Kanji is read differently. I don't think that the meaning of this Kanji changes based on its reading but are there some Kanji that do?
The answer is a bit more complex than a simple yes or no. The reality is that meaning can change with the reading, it stay the same even though reading changes, or one reading can have multiple meanings based on context.
Case 1: Meaning changes with reading
Please note that this is not an exhaustive list, neither should it be treated as such.
行{い}く -- to go
行{おこな}う -- to do/perform本{ほん}-- book
本{もと} -- origin (note however, that this is usually written as 元)
Case 2: Meaning does not change with readings
As you have noted, 人 is one of these characters. Here's a few more examples.
日{にち}-- day
日々{ひび} -- daily本歌{ほんか} -- original verse poem
本{もと}を正{ただ}す -- to go to the bottom of an affair; to inquire into the origin
Case 3: One reading has multiple meanings
You may have noticed from my previous examples that 本 is one of these characters.
本人{ほんにん} -- The person themselves; said person; the person in question
本棚{ほんだな} -- Bookshelf
本{ほん}-- counter for cylindrical shaped items, note that it is sometimes read as ぽん or ぼん depending on the number.行動{こうどう} -- action; conduct; behavior
行程{こうてい}-- journey; course; distance; march; flight; drive (this word is somewhat uncommon)
For your reference, I will include links to the kanji listings in the dictionary for your further study (click the kanji for the link):