Zi Collection, Middle Volume Radical: Hand (shǒu) Page 150, Entry 05 According to the Tang Rhymes (Tangyun) and the Collected Rhymes (Jiyun), this character is pronounced jian. It signifies to remove or cull. Furthermore, according to the Collected Rhymes (Jiyun), it is also pronounced qian. It signifies to erase or cut away.