Wei Collection, Lower Volume Radical: Boat (zhōu) Entry: nian Kangxi Stroke Count: 15 Page 1011, Entry 22 Collection of Writing (Pianhai): Pronounced nian. Used to repair boats. Correct Meaning (Zhengzitong): Some say this refers to the rope used to pull a boat. Originally written as qian. Sometimes written as qian. Because it is a tool for pulling boats, it is composed of nian and boat to form nian. The character nian is pronounced qian (departing tone). The contemporary usage where it refers to repairing an old boat, pronounced as nian, is a case of having a sound without the corresponding meaning; it is a regional dialect term.