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. represents the meaning and represents the sound.

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character "放" is structured with 方 functioning primarily as a phonetic element and 攵, a variant of the action-indicating component 攴, which suggests acts of driving or striking, together conveying an original sense of releasing or exiling. Its early meaning centered on setting free or banishing, from which it developed a broader semantic range including to place or put something, to emit as in radiating light or shooting a projectile, and to relax or loosen, demonstrating a shift from concrete acts of liberation to varied contexts of placement and emission.

Etymology Hide

Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Western Zhou (~800 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Warring States (~250 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

我把书在桌子上。

Wǒ bǎ shū fàng zài zhuōzi shàng.

I put the book on the table.

我们明天假。

Wǒmen míngtiān fàngjià.

We have a holiday tomorrow.

开了我的手。

Tā fàngkāile wǒ de shǒu.

He let go of my hand.

请你心,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.

孩子们在公园里风筝。

Háizimen zài gōngyuán lǐ fàng fēngzhēng.

The children are flying kites in the park.

他决定弃这个计划。

Tā juédìng fàngqì zhège jìhuà.

He decided to give up this plan.

如果你不下过去,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.