English word on comes from Japanese 卍字, Chinese 紫陽花 (Hydrangea macrophylla.)

You can also see our other etymologies for the English word on. Currently you are viewing the etymology of on with the meaning: (Noun) In the Japanese language, a pronunciation, or reading, of a kanji character that was originally based on the character's pronunciation in Chinese, contrasted with kun.In the Japanese language, a pronunciation, or reading, of a kanji character that was originally based on the character's pronunciation in Chinese, contrasted with kun

Detailed word origin of on

Dictionary entry	Language	Definition
卍字	Japanese (jpn)
紫陽花	Chinese (zho)	Hydrangea macrophylla.
音読み	Japanese (jpn)	To use the on'yomi of a word, to read a word using the pronunciation based on the original Chinese pronunciation (linguistics) The reading of a Japanese word written in kanji that is roughly based on the pronunciation of the kanji characters in the originating Chinese dialect at the time the word was introduced into Japanese.
on	English (eng)	In the Japanese language, a pronunciation, or reading, of a kanji character that was originally based on the character's pronunciation in Chinese, contrasted with kun.