Kun'yomi refers to the native Japanese readings of kanji characters, which are used primarily in combination with other kanji or in standalone words. Unlike On'yomi, which are derived from Chinese pronunciations, kun'yomi readings are based on the original Japanese language and often reflect the meaning of the kanji. Each kanji can have multiple kun'yomi readings, depending on the context in which it is used. For example, the kanji 山 (meaning "mountain") can be read as "yama" in its kun'yomi form. Understanding kun'yomi is essential for reading and writing in Japanese, as it helps convey the language's unique nuances.