Mao Collection, Middle Volume Radical: Hand (shǒu) 挨 Kangxi strokes: 11 Page 431, Entry 18 Pronounced ai (rising tone). According to Explaining Graphs and Analyzing Characters (Shuowen), it means to strike the back. Also pronounced ai (rising tone). It means to strike. Also pronounced ai. Originally written in a variant form. The meaning is the same. It also refers to pushing or shoving. According to Investigation of the Six Scripts (Liushugu), it means to push aside. According to Dialects (Fangyan) by Yangzi, pressing forward is called ai. According to Corrected Meanings (Zhengzitong), in current colloquial speech, when objects are close to one another, it is called ai.