解放

かいほう

release, liberation, emancipation

JLPT N2

Character Breakdown

Meaning and Usage

"解放" (jiěfàng) primarily means "to liberate" or "to free." It is often used in political or social contexts, such as liberating a group of people or freeing oneself from constraints.

Common Collocations

  • 解放 (jiěfàng jūn): Liberation Army, referring to military forces that have freed a region or country.
  • 解放思想 (jiěfàng sīxiǎng): liberate thoughts, meaning to free one's mind from old ideas or restrictions.
  • 解放 (zìwǒ jiěfàng): self-liberation, freeing oneself from mental or emotional constraints.

Usage Notes

When using 解放, the focus is on the act of freeing or releasing from control, oppression, or limitation. It can be used both literally (e.g., military liberation) and metaphorically (e.g., freeing one's thoughts or emotions).

Avoid confusing 解放 with 释放 (shìfàng), which often refers to releasing something physically, like releasing a prisoner or releasing energy. 解放 has a broader and often more abstract or political/social connotation.

Example Sentences

The Chinese People's Liberation Army played an important role in the war.

Liberating thoughts helps social progress.

She finally liberated herself and no longer was bound by the past.