Chou Collection, Lower Volume Radical: Woman (nǚ) Nuan Kangxi strokes: 12 Page 266, Entry 21 According to the Extensive Rhymes (Guangyun), Collected Rhymes (Jiyun), and Correct Rhymes (Zhengyun), the pronunciation is nuan (falling tone). It is the same as the character for tender. It means weak. One source says it describes the appearance of being young and good. Also, according to the Collected Rhymes (Jiyun), it is pronounced ruan (rising tone). According to the Explaining Graphs and Analyzing Characters (Shuowen), it describes an attractive appearance.