放弃
fàngqì · HSK 5
to renounce; to abandon; to give up
🏳️ 放 = release/let go + 弃 = abandon/discard
放 (fàng) means to release or set down; 弃 (qì) means to abandon or cast aside. Together they reinforce each other: release and abandon = give up entirely.
放 — 方 (square/phonetic) + 攵 (rap/strike radical)
放 is a semantic-phonetic compound: 方 supplies the sound and 攵 (a hand holding a stick) supplies the meaning of striking or driving away. The original sense was to banish or drive out, which broadened over time to 'release', 'let go', and 'put down'.