You Collection, Upper Volume Radical: Speech (yán) Kangxi Strokes: 14 Page 1163, Entry 01 Pronounced yu (rising tone). Shuowen Jiezi (Explanation of Graphs and Analysis of Characters): Discussion. Xu says: To debate or argue is called yu. Yu means to intersect; it refers to speech that crosses or interacts. Wu (my) words are yu; wu is a linguistic particle. Words spoken directly are called yan; words spoken in reciprocal response are called yu. Shiming (Explanations of Names): To narrate; to narrate what one wishes to express. Book of Changes (Yijing), Yi Hexagram: The superior person uses this to be cautious in speech and language, and to moderate food and drink. Book of Odes (Shijing), Great Odes (Daya): At this time, they spoke; at this time, they conversed. Commentary: Direct speech is called yan, referring to one person speaking alone. Responding to a challenge is called yu, referring to two people speaking to each other. Book of Rites (Liji), Miscellaneous Records (Zaji): During the three-year mourning period, one may speak but not converse. Annotation: Yan means to speak of one's own affairs. Yu means to discuss matters with others. School Sayings of Confucius (Kongzi Jiayu): Confucius was traveling to Tan and encountered Cheng Zi on the road; they inclined their carriage covers and conversed for the entire day. Also, the name of a state. Bieguo Dongming Ji (Record of Subterranean Mysteries of Foreign States): The people of the Lebi state are three inches tall, possess wings, and are skilled in speech, games, and laughter; therefore, it is called the State of Good Speech. Pronounced yu (departing tone). Guangyun (Broad Rhymes): To inform. Zengyun (Expanded Rhymes): To tell something to someone with words. Zuo Tradition (Zuo Zhuan), First Year of Duke Yin: The Duke told him the reason. Analects of Confucius (Lunyu): Sit, I will tell you. Also, to instruct or admonish. Discourses of Lu (Luyu): The master also has that with which to instruct Fei. Also, a place name. History of the Former Han (Qianhan Shu), Biography of the King of Minyue: Qian Tang Yuan Zhonggu beheaded and paraded the northern general, becoming the Marquis of Yuer. Meng Kang Annotation: Yuer is a place in the Yue region; it is the current Southern Pavilion of Wu. Yan Shigu says: Yu is sometimes written with the characters for enclosure or fence.