Kun'yomi refers to the native Japanese readings of kanji characters, which are used in conjunction with the Japanese language. Unlike On'yomi, which are derived from Chinese pronunciations, Kun'yomi readings are based on the original Japanese words that correspond to the meaning of the kanji. These readings are often used in combination with hiragana to form verbs, adjectives, and nouns. For example, the kanji 山 (meaning "mountain") has the Kun'yomi reading "yama." Understanding Kun'yomi is essential for reading and writing in Japanese, as it helps convey the language's unique cultural context.