The compound word 放荡 (fàngdàng), meaning "dissolute" or "unrestrained", is formed through a parallel morphological structure where both constituent characters contribute semantically related meanings to create an abstract, intensified whole. The character 放 (fàng) carries the core meaning of "to release" or "to let go", while 荡 (dàng) conveys "to swing unrestrainedly", "to roam", or "to dissipate". When combined, their meanings synergize metaphorically, moving beyond the literal actions to describe a state of moral or behavioral abandon, letting go of restraints and swaying without control. This formation follows a common pattern in Chinese where two verbs or adjectives with similar connotations are paired to express a more nuanced, often pejorative, abstract quality.