Kunyomi refers to the native Japanese readings of kanji characters. Unlike Onyomi, which are derived from Chinese pronunciations, Kunyomi readings are based on the original Japanese words that existed before the introduction of kanji. Each kanji can have multiple Kunyomi readings, often depending on the context in which it is used. Kunyomi is typically used when kanji are combined with hiragana to form verbs, adjectives, and nouns. For example, the kanji 山 (meaning "mountain") has the Kunyomi reading "yama." Understanding Kunyomi is essential for reading and writing in Japanese, as it helps convey the meaning of words in their native context.