绽放 (zhàn fàng) — to blossom, to bloom

Definition

Literate, written word for flowers blooming or — more distinctively — smiles, talent, and life 'blossoming' forth. Stronger and more evocative than 开花 and 开放; pairs with 出 for the figurative 'burst forth' sense.

verb
to blossomto bloom

Examples

  • ，绽放。
    Chūn tiān lǐ, bǎi huā zhàn fàng.
    In spring, a hundred flowers blossom.
  • 绽放。
    Tā de liǎn shàng zhàn fàng chū mí rén de wēi xiào.
    A charming smile blossomed on her face.
  • ，绽放。
    Zài zhè piàn wǔ tái shàng, tā de cái huá zhōng yú zhàn fàng le.
    On this stage, his talent finally blossomed.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéSide by side

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

绽zhànburst open
放fàngunfold

Both 绽 (burst open) and 放 (unfold) describe flowers opening, so the word means to blossom.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 綻; 绽 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
糸糸mìthread
Sound part声符shēngfú
定
定dìng綻zhàn
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 綻 pairs 糸 (thread) with 定 for its sound; the simplified 绽 is a later shorthand.

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
攵Written in full as攴pūhand, action
Sound part声符shēngfú
方
方fāng放fàng
Same sound today

放 uses 方 for its sound and 攵, a hand/action part, to mark an action of release.

Open 放 →
Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 7-9Plants & Flowers

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