trouble choosing kanji readings

[valery]

Hi.

How does one know which reading to use in for any given kanji when there are several to choose from? Even the simplest example---the kanji for "sun" or "day" can be read nichi, jitsu, hi , ka. There seems to be no predictable pattern as to which of these will exist in a word: ichinichi= one day /// futsuka= two days...

Also. how do I type in kana on my computer like many forum posters can? That would be sweet!

duomo arigato gozimasu
javascript:emoticon(':wink:')
Valery

[QuackingShoe]

You learn through experience. Your example is sortof special, as a lot of number patterns are a bit jumbled due to the old Japanese number system fighting against the newer one. Check this out here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_counters

Beyond that, remember the general rule that onyomi are used in compounds (or with other onyomi) and kunyomi are used on their own (or other kunyomi). Despite this, you should always look words up in a dictionary to find their readings. If there are multiple readings that could be used, you really just have to learn through experience. If it's all too confusing, just don't worry about it. It's actually not that big of a deal.

If you're on windows, learn how to type here: http://www.declan-software.com/japanese_ime/

[samihu]

Yeah, this is one of those things that plagues me...

There is that basic rule QuackingShoe mentioned, but when there are multiple on/kun readings it can be hard to figure out. With the kun readings it seems you can usually figure it out by the surrounding hiragana. For example: 幸せ ,幸い, 幸あれ(shiawa-se, saiwa-i, and sachi-are respectively) Multiple onyomi readings don't seem to have such clues and I think just have to be memorized.

[valery]

Thanks quackingshoe and samihu for your heartening replies.
My future of reading kanji seemed pretty bleak. It is hard for me to sleuth out the answers to my questions from the site content. Glad to have people to ask!!

Valery

[QuackingShoe]

By the way,a s far as checking for readings, I usually use dic.yahoo.co.jp , though there are others available.
I think you need to actually input the text on most of these sites in Japanese, but since I linked you to the IME information, that shouldn't be a problem, right?