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March 24, 2026
放fàng(fang4)
The character 放 (fàng) primarily means 'to release' or 'to let go.' It is commonly used in various contexts, such as placing objects down, letting someone go, or even setting off fireworks during celebrations. The versatility of this word makes it applicable in both everyday situations and more formal contexts.
Strokes8Radical攵Frequency#216DifficultyEasy
Cultural Note
The use of 放 is particularly relevant during Chinese New Year when people set off fireworks to celebrate. This act of releasing fireworks symbolizes the letting go of the old year and welcoming in the new.
Memory Tip
Imagine a balloon (放) being released into the sky. The character has a component that resembles the act of letting go (放), and the pronunciation 'fàng' can be remembered by associating it with 'fawn,' as in 'let the fawn go free.' This imagery helps connect the character's meaning with its sound.
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AI Study Notes for 放
Quick Contrast
放 (fàng) vs 置 (zhì) — use 放 when emphasizing the act of releasing or letting go, while 置 focuses on placing or positioning something.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a balloon (放) being released into the sky. The character has a component that resembles the act of letting go (放), and the pronunciation 'fàng' can be remembered by associating it with 'fawn,' as in 'let the fawn go free.' This imagery helps connect the character's meaning with its sound.
Usage Notes
Be cautious with the tone, as the fourth tone can sometimes be confused with other similar-sounding words. It is often used in phrases like 放下 (fàngxià, to put down) and 放松 (fàngsōng, to relax). Avoid using it in overly formal contexts where more specific verbs may be preferred.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 3 word, 放 connects with other verbs related to actions and changes, such as 学 (xué, to learn) and 来 (lái, to come). Students should focus on its various applications and practice using it in sentences to reinforce its meaning.
Cultural Note
The use of 放 is particularly relevant during Chinese New Year when people set off fireworks to celebrate. This act of releasing fireworks symbolizes the letting go of the old year and welcoming in the new.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 放 with 让 (ràng, to let) and use it incorrectly in sentences. For example, saying '我放他去' (Wǒ fàng tā qù) instead of the correct '我让他去' (Wǒ ràng tā qù) which means 'I let him go.'
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 放
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Grammar Patterns of 放
放 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 8 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Meanwhile, melt the white chocolate in a bowl suspended over simmering water.
6
放假期间你读了很多书吗？
fàng jiǎ qī jiān nǐ dú le hěn duō shū ma？
Did you have a lot of reading during the vacation?
7
你真该看看他谈到家的时候眼睛放光的模样。
nǐ zhēn gāi kàn kàn tā tán dào jiā de shí hòu yǎn jīng fàng guāng de mó yàng。
You should see his eyes light up when he talks about home.
8
无论你如何粉饰，银行就是为了放贷而生的。
wú lùn nǐ rú hé fěn shì， ， yín háng jiù shì wéi le fàng dài ér shēng。
However you dress it up, a bank only exists to lend money.
9
你要是觉得两眼周围紧绷，就放松一下肌肉。
nǐ yào shì jué dé liǎng yǎn zhōu wéi jǐn bēng， ， jiù fàng sōng yī xià jī。
If you feel a tenseness around the eyes, relax your muscles.
10
她可以告诉你事实的真相以让你放心。
tā kě yǐ gào sù nǐ shì shí de zhēn xiāng yǐ ràng nǐ fàng xīn。
She could set your mind at rest by giving you the facts.
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11
他们把小鸟放回了森林。
Tāmen bǎ xiǎo niǎo fàng huíle sēnlín.
They freed the bird back into the forest.
12
农场主决定把那些受伤的动物放掉。
Nóngchǎng zhǔ juédìng bǎ nàxiē shòushāng de dòngwù fàng diào.
The farmer decided to free the injured animals.
13
志愿者们帮助把海龟放回大海。
Zhìyuàn zhěmen bāngzhù bǎ hǎiguī fàng huí dàhǎi.
The volunteers helped to free the turtles back into the sea.
Cultural Notes for 放
🏮Cultural insight
The use of 放 is particularly relevant during Chinese New Year when people set off fireworks to celebrate. This act of releasing fireworks symbolizes the letting go of the old year and welcoming in the new.
Word Family of 放
Compounds1
倣
Words Containing This Character20
放fàngto put
放弃fàngqìto renounce放棄
放松fàngsōngto loosen放鬆
放下fàngxiàto lay down
开放kāifàngto bloom開放
放开to let go放開
放心fàngxīnto feel relieved
释放shìfàngto release釋放
解放jiěfàngto liberate
放手to give up
播放bōfàngto broadcast
发放fāfàngto provide發放
改革开放gǎigékāifàngto reform and open to the outside world改革開放
放假fàngjiàto have a holiday or vacation
放大fàngdàto enlarge
解放军People's Liberation Army (PRC armed forces)解放軍
放过fàngguòto let off放過
放学fàngxuéto dismiss students at the end of the school day放學
排放páifàngemission
放屁to fart
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 放 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 放
Yes, 放 can be used in both contexts, but be mindful of the specific phrases and verbs that might be more appropriate in formal situations.
Yes, 释放 specifically means 'to release' in a more formal or technical context, while 放 is more general and can refer to physical placement or letting go.
You can use 放 in sentences like '我放书在桌子上' (Wǒ fàng shū zài zhuōzi shàng), meaning 'I put the book on the table.'
