放

Phono-semantic compound:

方 (square, direction) – phonetic element;

攴 (to strike, to act) – semantic element, indicating action or execution.

Together, they convey the act of letting go or setting something in motion/direction.

Semantic range:

- to release, to set free (放出, release; 釋放, to liberate);

- to put, to place (放下, to put down);

- to emit, discharge (放光, to shine; 放電, discharge electricity);

- to allow, permit (放任, to let be, neglect);

- figurative: to indulge, to be unrestrained (放縱, 放蕩).

放學 (방학) – to dismiss school, school vacation

放火 (방화) – arson (“to set fire”)

放送 (방송) – broadcasting (“to release and send out”)

解放 (해방) – liberation, emancipation

放鬆 (방송/방송, CN) – to relax, loosen

Strongly linked with the idea of release (both physical and abstract).

In modern East Asian languages, its compounds extend widely into media (放送 – broadcast), leisure, and politics (解放 – liberation).