Kunyomi refers to the native Japanese readings of kanji characters, which are used primarily in conjunction with Japanese words. Unlike onyomi, which are derived from Chinese pronunciations, kunyomi readings are based on the original Japanese language. Each kanji can have multiple kunyomi readings, depending on the context in which it is used. Kunyomi is often 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.