Onyomi refers to the Chinese readings of kanji, the characters used in the Japanese writing system. These readings were adopted from Chinese during the periods of cultural exchange between Japan and China, particularly around the 5th to 9th centuries. Onyomi readings are often used in compound words and are typically derived from the original Chinese pronunciation. In contrast to kunyomi, which are the native Japanese readings of kanji, onyomi provides a way to understand the characters in a broader context. Many kanji have multiple onyomi readings, reflecting the different Chinese dialects and historical pronunciations. This dual reading system enriches the Japanese language and allows for a diverse vocabulary.