According to Broad Rimes (Guangyun), it is pronounced xian (rising tone). According to Collected Rimes (Jiyun), it is pronounced xian (rising tone), and its pronunciation is the same as the character pronounced yan (rising tone). Jade Chapter (Yupian) records that this character is written as the character pronounced jian (level tone), meaning dogs barking at each other. Collected Rimes (Jiyun) states that this character is interchangeable with the character pronounced jian (level tone). Furthermore, Jade Chapter (Yupian) defines it as language used in arguments and litigation. Collected Rimes (Jiyun) states that this character was originally written as the character pronounced yin (rising tone).