You Collection, Lower Volume Radical: Bitter (xīn) Bian Kangxi strokes: 16 Page 1251, Entry 19 Identical to the character pronounced bian. Discussion of Writing (Shuowen): To judge. Collection of Characters (Zihui): To follow the component for strength and to follow the component for knife is different. The strength component signifies the meaning of exerting effort, and the knife component signifies the meaning of making a distinction.