Common Meanings
1
fàng放
To release; to set free; to let go; to relax restrictions; to give full vent to (emotions, voice etc.).
他们在大草原上纵情放歌，尽情享受自由。
They sang freely and heartily on the vast grasslands, fully enjoying their freedom.
To dismiss, release, or let out, as in finishing work/school, going on holiday, or the weather clearing up.
下周我们就要放假了。
We'll be on holiday next week.
To let livestock, especially sheep, graze in the wild. It can also metaphorically mean to neglect or allow someone or something to act freely without supervision (as in '放羊').
牧民在宽广的草原上放羊。
Shepherds are herding sheep on the vast grassland.
To banish or exile (someone) to a distant place.
那个罪犯被放逐到荒岛上。
That criminal was banished to a desolate island.
To send someone to a lower-level unit, a local branch, or a less central position, often for experience or to delegate responsibilities.
公司决定把这位资深经理下放到分公司锻炼。
The company decided to send this senior manager down to the branch office for training.
To emit, discharge, or release (e.g., electricity, light, or a substance).
萤火虫在夜晚放光。
Fireflies emit light at night.
To lend money, typically with interest; to provide loans.
一些银行专门向小型企业放贷，帮助它们发展。
Some banks specialize in lending money to small businesses to help them develop.
to expand; to enlarge; to widen
你能不能把这张图片再放大一点？
Could you enlarge this picture a bit more?
To bloom, to blossom (as flowers); to burst forth or express (emotions, as in joy or excitement).
听到好消息，她心花怒放，高兴得跳了起来
Hearing the good news, her heart bloomed with joy, and she jumped up happily.
To put, place, or set aside; to let go or abandon; to feel at ease or rest assured.
你放心吧，这件事情我会处理好的。
Don't worry, I will handle this matter well.
To extend or reach to; to encompass a certain range or limit, often implying a wide scope or an extreme extent, as in 'to apply universally' or 'from head to toe'.
这份报告的内容放之四海而皆准。
The content of this report is universally applicable.