The word 放开 is formed by combining two independent characters, each contributing its core meaning to create a new, blended concept. The first character, 放 (fàng), carries the fundamental idea of "to release" or "to let go". It is paired with 开 (kāi), which fundamentally means "to open" or "to unfold". Their combination does not merely add one action to another, but metaphorically fuses them: the act of releasing (放) is what directly enables and results in a state of openness, expansion, or freedom (开), picturing the motion of unclenching a hand or lifting a restraint to allow something to spread out or move without constraint.