Difference between onyomi words and kunyomi words


I think the more I read up on complicated topics the more I encounter onyomi
words that have kunyomi synonyms. For example:

新しいvs新規 _~~最新~~_

終わりvs終了

危ないvs危険

Is the rule generally that onyomi words are more formal or mature? Should I
prefer one over the other in casual speech? Or are there nuances on usage too?




To answer your question:

Onyomi is more formal and mature. There are nuances with a lot of the related
words. So I would recommend you to use _Keigo_ or polite です・ます形 with _Kunyomi_
words until you have a better grasp of the situations that they are acceptable
and not acceptable to be used in.

I like to compare the difference between the two types of words with a thin
lined circle and a thick black line.

I also think that @Yoichi said is true where there are no rules to judge the
usage between the two.

## _**Kunyomi**_

In spoken Japanese; in casual and day to day situations the Japanese Kunyomi
words are used and have a softer, rounder, feeling like that of a circle.

_Kunyomi_ words, like mentioned above, have a softer feeling and are often
used in place of _Onyomi_ in situations where a certain action or thing is not
recommended, frowned upon but not against the law, or where Japanese want to
show 遠{えん}慮｛りょ｝/consideration by being soft about their wording.

An example using question's provided words would be that of signs. A lot of
places close to schools or on train platforms will have signs and or posters
with the words _あぶない！_ ・ _危ない！_ in either Hiragana or Kanji with
送｛おく｝り仮｛が｝名｛な｝ _Okurigana_. This is to let people know its dangerous and to be
careful of kids crossing the street or to suggest standing back when trains
are arriving at the station. You could think of it as a friendly reminder.

Contrarily, if you were driving on the street you might also see a round sign
with 危険物｛きけんぶつ｝or a car driving with 高圧｛こうあつ｝ガス危険 on it. Clearly stating
dangerous object/thing or "Beware, High-pressure gas". Albeit, you will also
find the _Onyomi_ words written in Katakana or Hiragana and this is usually
written so children who can't read the Kanji can still understand the signs
message therefore the danger.

Also, you will probably never hear a mother yell 「危険だよ！」 at her son playing
near the street, she will most always say 「危ない」.

Other examples include posters regarding manners for the public where using
_Kunyomi_ is preferred because it is less intrusive and lighter which you can
often find in subway stations.

## _**Onyomi**_

On the other hand; business situations, formal occasions, Japanese literature,
and non-spoken communication like above mentioned examples often use the
_Onyomi_. This is because _Onyomi_ words are deep in meaning, a lot
stiffer/stricter than _Kunyomi_ and have weight. Due to this fact they get
straight to the point like a big black line. (Circle and line)

### Uses:

-In Japanese literature reading is faster when you can describe something in fewer characters. Of course there are always exceptions to the rule but a lot of _Onyomi_ words in books are also classified as _書{か}き言{こと}葉{ば}_. Using _written words_ or _書き言葉_ sometimes throws people off with the sudden change to a super formal or polite word( _Onyomi_ word). You might get a few weird responses and or looks.

> Ex: If you were talking to a friend and said: 今日の仕事は終わったよ。- Would be
> considered normal, friendly and casual.
>
> 今日の仕事は終了しました。- Is casual but then you are putting a more formal Onyomi word
> at the end. You might not get the same response.
>
> 本日の作業は終了しました。This would be a business or formal sentence with the same
> meaning.

-From my experience the seriousness of _Onyomi_ words can carry a lot of weight. In this sense using them in daily speech can be a little over bearing. However, _Onyomi_ words are in most cases more specific and deep in meaning and I think using them where they are needed is your best option. For example, if you are talking about something more specific, talking about research or something you you know a lot about.

* * *

Notes:

-Sometimes you run across older folk that speak very traditionally and will use a lot of Onyomi words. This doesn't mean that you should.

-This also applies with parents and a lot of the time it is just the way they were raised more so than a choice. Some of my friends parents will speak in _Keigo_ to everyone including their own children. Getting used to hearing this can sometimes take a while and can be sort of scary at times.




To answer your question:

Onyomi is more formal and mature. There are nuances with a lot of the related
words. So I would recommend you to use _Keigo_ or polite です・ます形 with _Kunyomi_
words until you have a better grasp of the situations that they are acceptable
and not acceptable to be used in.

I like to compare the difference between the two types of words with a thin
lined circle and a thick black line.

I also think that @Yoichi said is true where there are no rules to judge the
usage between the two.

## _**Kunyomi**_

In spoken Japanese; in casual and day to day situations the Japanese Kunyomi
words are used and have a softer, rounder, feeling like that of a circle.

_Kunyomi_ words, like mentioned above, have a softer feeling and are often
used in place of _Onyomi_ in situations where a certain action or thing is not
recommended, frowned upon but not against the law, or where Japanese want to
show 遠{えん}慮｛りょ｝/consideration by being soft about their wording.

An example using question's provided words would be that of signs. A lot of
places close to schools or on train platforms will have signs and or posters
with the words _あぶない！_ ・ _危ない！_ in either Hiragana or Kanji with
送｛おく｝り仮｛が｝名｛な｝ _Okurigana_. This is to let people know its dangerous and to be
careful of kids crossing the street or to suggest standing back when trains
are arriving at the station. You could think of it as a friendly reminder.

Contrarily, if you were driving on the street you might also see a round sign
with 危険物｛きけんぶつ｝or a car driving with 高圧｛こうあつ｝ガス危険 on it. Clearly stating
dangerous object/thing or "Beware, High-pressure gas". Albeit, you will also
find the _Onyomi_ words written in Katakana or Hiragana and this is usually
written so children who can't read the Kanji can still understand the signs
message therefore the danger.

Also, you will probably never hear a mother yell 「危険だよ！」 at her son playing
near the street, she will most always say 「危ない」.

Other examples include posters regarding manners for the public where using
_Kunyomi_ is preferred because it is less intrusive and lighter which you can
often find in subway stations.

## _**Onyomi**_

On the other hand; business situations, formal occasions, Japanese literature,
and non-spoken communication like above mentioned examples often use the
_Onyomi_. This is because _Onyomi_ words are deep in meaning, a lot
stiffer/stricter than _Kunyomi_ and have weight. Due to this fact they get
straight to the point like a big black line. (Circle and line)

### Uses:

-In Japanese literature reading is faster when you can describe something in fewer characters. Of course there are always exceptions to the rule but a lot of _Onyomi_ words in books are also classified as _書{か}き言{こと}葉{ば}_. Using _written words_ or _書き言葉_ sometimes throws people off with the sudden change to a super formal or polite word( _Onyomi_ word). You might get a few weird responses and or looks.

> Ex: If you were talking to a friend and said: 今日の仕事は終わったよ。- Would be
> considered normal, friendly and casual.
>
> 今日の仕事は終了しました。- Is casual but then you are putting a more formal Onyomi word
> at the end. You might not get the same response.
>
> 本日の作業は終了しました。This would be a business or formal sentence with the same
> meaning.

-From my experience the seriousness of _Onyomi_ words can carry a lot of weight. In this sense using them in daily speech can be a little over bearing. However, _Onyomi_ words are in most cases more specific and deep in meaning and I think using them where they are needed is your best option. For example, if you are talking about something more specific, talking about research or something you you know a lot about.

* * *

Notes:

-Sometimes you run across older folk that speak very traditionally and will use a lot of Onyomi words. This doesn't mean that you should.

-This also applies with parents and a lot of the time it is just the way they were raised more so than a choice. Some of my friends parents will speak in _Keigo_ to everyone including their own children. Getting used to hearing this can sometimes take a while and can be sort of scary at times.

