Kanji question...

[Juju]

Hi all

Perhaps a silly question, but I have to ask And as my Java teacher says, no question is dumb!

On the JLPTs, do you have to know just the kanji alone, OR f.ex two kanji's together? Um, perhaps I'm not making myself clear lol! On the Kanji lists I've found online, they're mostly listed alone, one by one. But on f.ex Kanji flashcards, you also have several together which makes a different meaning. So, do you have to know only the Kanji alone, or Kanji's together?

Thanks!

[Belton]

You have to know how to read compounds of the kanji on the lists.
It's a good way to remember various kanji anyway.

In general terms, the kunyomi is used when the kanji is used alone.
新しい　［あたら・しい］
and the onyomi when used in a compound.
新聞　［しん・ぶん］
It can be difficult at first but eventually you get the hang of it. There is a logic to it.

[Juju]

Ah Thank you. *off to buy some flash cards*