Chou Collection, Middle Volume Radical: Earth (tǔ) Yan Kangxi stroke count: 23 Page 242, Entry 29 According to the Expanded Dictionary of Sounds and Meanings (Guangyun), pronounced yan. According to the Collected Dictionary of Sounds (Jiyun), pronounced yan. A cave in the earth. As cited in the Han dynasty Songs for the Suburban Sacrifices (Han Jiao Si Ge): In the rocky cave, one listens intently.