放 means “release, let go”

ほう · hou

Also: set free, fire, shoot

Kun'yomi (Japanese reading): はなす, はなつ, はなれる, こく, ほうる
On'yomi (Chinese reading): ホウ

JLPT N3 · Taught in grade 3 · 8 strokes

The story

A hand (攵) waving off in every direction (方): picture shooing birds from a field. 放 lets go: 放送 sends a broadcast out over the air, and 放課後 is after school, when the last bell sets everyone free.

Used in 放送 (housou, broadcast), 放課後 (houkago, after school), and 手放す (tebanasu, to let go of)

放 means “release, let go”

The story

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