Chou Collection, Upper Volume Radical: Mouth (kǒu) Yan Kangxi Stroke Count: 10 Page 191, Entry 24 Ancient character form is written as 囐. Pronounced yan (falling tone). According to the Explaining and Analyzing Characters (Shuowen Jiezi), it refers to offering condolences to the living. In the Book of Odes (Shijing), it is written: Return to offer condolences to the Duke of Wei. Commentary: The Correct Meaning states that in the twenty-fifth year of Duke Zhao, the Duke of Qi offered condolences to the Duke at Yejing. The Guliang Commentary states: Offering condolences for the loss of a state is called yan; this refers to the loss of a state. If one contrasts this with mourning the dead, which is called diao, then offering condolences to the living is called yan. The Minor Odes of the Kingdom section states: You do not come to offer condolences to me. The Zuo Commentary states: The people of Qi captured Zang Jian, and the Duke of Qi sent Susha Wei to offer condolences to him. Fu Qian states: Offering condolences to the living is called yan; because he was captured while alive, he was offered condolences. In the Collection of Rhymes (Jiyun), it is also written as 喭. Additionally, according to the Collection of Rhymes (Jiyun), it is pronounced yan (rising tone). The meaning is the same.