Meaning
放手 literally means 'to release the hand' and refers to physically letting go of something you're holding. It's frequently used metaphorically to mean letting go emotionally, giving someone freedom, or relinquishing control over a situation. The word carries connotations of both physical release and emotional or psychological detachment.
Usage
放手 is commonly used in both literal contexts (letting go of an object) and figurative ones (letting go of relationships, control, or worries). It often appears in advice or encouragement when someone needs to stop micromanaging or stop clinging to something. The phrase 放手一搏 (fàng shǒu yī bó) means 'to give it your all' or 'go for broke.'
Examples
- 01你应该放手让孩子自己做决定。.You should let go and let the child make their own decisions.
- 02他终于放手了那段感情。.He finally let go of that relationship.
Characters
Common collocations
- 放手一搏to give it one's all, to go for broke
- 放手让...做...to let someone do something freely
- 舍不得放手to be reluctant to let go
Antonyms
Origin
The compound combines 放 (to release) with 手 (hand), creating a vivid image of opening one's hand to release what was held.