放

fàng

攵 + 方

HSK 2.0Level 3

HSK 3.0Level 3

Definitions

fàng (verb) to put; to place

fàng (verb) to release; to free; to let go

fàng (verb) to set off (fireworks)

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 攵 represents the meaning and 方 represents the sound.

Semantic: 攵 Phonetic: 方

About

The character 放 is a phono-semantic compound. The phonetic component 方 on the left also suggests direction or place, while the semantic radical 攵 on the right represents a hand holding a stick, implying an action of striking or forcing. Its original meaning involved the physical act of banishing or driving someone away in a particular direction. This evolved from forceful expulsion to more general concepts: releasing, letting go, placing something, allowing expansion, or emitting light and sound.

Etymology Hide

Bronze Late Western Zhou (~800 BC)

Bronze Late Warring States (~250 BC)

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

我把书放在桌子上。

Wǒ bǎ shū fàng zài zhuōzi shàng.

I put the book on the table.

我们明天放假。

Wǒmen míngtiān fàngjià.

We have a holiday tomorrow.

他放开了我的手。

Tā fàngkāile wǒ de shǒu.

He let go of my hand.

请你放心，我会完成任务。

Qǐng nǐ fàngxīn, wǒ huì wánchéng rènwù.

Please rest assured, I will complete the task.

妈妈把水果放在冰箱里了。

Māma bǎ shuǐguǒ fàng zài bīngxiāng lǐle.

Mom put the fruit in the refrigerator.

孩子们在公园里放风筝。

Háizimen zài gōngyuán lǐ fàng fēngzhēng.

The children are flying kites in the park.

他决定放弃这个计划。

Tā juédìng fàngqì zhège jìhuà.

He decided to give up this plan.

如果你放不下过去，就很难开始新生活。

Rúguǒ nǐ fàng bù xià guòqù, jiù hěn nán kāishǐ xīn shēnghuó.

If you can't let go of the past, it's hard to start a new life.

Related Characters

Composed characters:

Component: 攵

Component: 方

放