放
KANJI DETAIL
release
On readingほう8 strokesN4
Radical 攴 · strikeStroke order
Loading the stroke order for 放.
Japanese readings
- On reading
- ほう
- Kun reading
- はなす, はなつ, はなれる, ほうる
Study notes
1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning
- Structure: 放 has 8 strokes and the on-reading ほう. 放す (はなす) means to release or let go; 放つ (はなつ) means to release or emit light and similar things.
- Basic usage: The verbs overlap in releasing animals, while letting go of a hand and emitting light illustrate different uses.
2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions
- Verb forms and overlapping meanings
- The past form of 放す is 放した; that of 放つ is 放った. Both the 魚 released into a river and the 鳥 released into a forest illustrate setting an animal free.
- 手を放さないでください asks someone not to let go of a hand. 青い光を放っている describes emitting blue light.