放松
fàngsōng · HSK 4
relax
😌 放 = release + 松 = loose; release into looseness = relax
放 (fàng) means to release or let go; 松 (sōng) means loose or slack (also the pine tree, known for its relaxed drooping branches). Together: let go and become slack = relax.
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'.
松 — tree 木 + public 公
A semantic-phonetic compound: 木 (tree) gives the meaning, while 公 (gōng) hints at the sound. Originally referring to the pine tree, whose loose, spreading needles led to the extended meaning 'loose' or 'relaxed'.