Mao Collection, Upper Volume Radical: Heart (xīn) Character: Nian Kangxi Stroke Count: 12 Page 390, Entry 06 Pronounced chan. According to the Collection of Rhymes (Jiyun), it is defined as the sound of annoyance or agitation. The original definition in the Explaining Graphs and Analyzing Characters (Shuowen) describes nian-chi as the sound of irritation. The Collection of Rhymes (Jiyun) notes it is sometimes written as tie-shan, and also written in a variant form. The common usage is considered incorrect. In the Records of the Grand Historian (Shiji), section on the Book of Music (Yueshu), it states: If these five are not in disarray, there will be no sounds of agitation and irritation. In the Record of Music (Yueji), it is written as tie.