You Collection, Upper Volume Radical: Speech (yán) Jian; Kangxi strokes: 17; Page 1174, Entry 23 Pronounced jian (falling-rising tone). Equivalent to the same character. Guangya (Classical Dictionary of Synonyms) defines it as a speech impediment. Note: A speech impediment, difficulty in speaking. Yupian (Jade Compendium) defines it as difficult. In the Li Sao (Encountering Sorrow) by Qu Yuan, it is written: I speak frankly, imitating those of the past, not what the worldly customs wear. Note: Jian means difficult. Also, in Guang Yun (Broad Rhymes), it means straight talk. Yun Hui (Collection of Rhymes) defines it as the appearance of speaking directly. In the Biography of Lu Pi from the Book of the Later Han (Hou Hanshu), it states: Widely accept forthright advice to open up the four ways of hearing. Also, Zheng Yun (Correct Rhymes) defines jian-e as loyalty. In the Biography of Gaotang Long from the Records of the Three Kingdoms (Weizhi), it states: Forthrightness is enough to encourage others. Also a surname. See Zihui (Compendium of Characters). Also, Yun Hui (Collection of Rhymes) notes it is interchangeable with jian. In the Biography of Wang Bao from the Book of Jin (Jinshu), it is written: The king's ministers are forthright. In the Book of Changes (Yijing), in the Jian hexagram, it was originally written as jian-jian. Also, in the Nine Songs (Jiuge) of the Chu Ci (Verses of Chu), it says: Jian will calm the longevity palace. Wang Yi's note: Jian is a particle. Also, from Ji Yun (Collected Rhymes) and Yun Hui (Collection of Rhymes), pronounced jian (rising tone). Citing Yang Xiong's Dialects (Fangyan): A speech impediment. Refer to the note on the subsequent character for further details.