金 pronunciation


I read that the kanji 金 ("gold") can be pronounced both as _kon_ and as _kin_.

When should it be pronounced _kon_ and when _kin_?  
Is there any rule about picking one or the other?




The readings "kin" and "kon" are on-yomi pronunciations for 金. The "kon"
reading is the older one (go-on 呉音) and "kin" is newer (kan-on 漢音). They
ultimately stem from Middle Chinese /ki̯əm/; notice that 今 has the same on-
yomi pronunciations.

As a general pattern, go-on pronunciations are somewhat less common (relative
to kan-on) in everyday words and more usually found in words related to
Buddhism. (But that is not to say Buddhist words only use go-on either.) In
the case of 金, the kan-on pronunciation is more common (among the two on-yomi
pronunciations) by far. You will simply have to memorise the exceptions.




The readings "kin" and "kon" are on-yomi pronunciations for 金. The "kon"
reading is the older one (go-on 呉音) and "kin" is newer (kan-on 漢音). They
ultimately stem from Middle Chinese /ki̯əm/; notice that 今 has the same on-
yomi pronunciations.

As a general pattern, go-on pronunciations are somewhat less common (relative
to kan-on) in everyday words and more usually found in words related to
Buddhism. (But that is not to say Buddhist words only use go-on either.) In
the case of 金, the kan-on pronunciation is more common (among the two on-yomi
pronunciations) by far. You will simply have to memorise the exceptions.

