放学

• Pinyin: fàng xué
• Hanzi breakdown: 放 (release) + 学 (study, school) — to be released from school

Meaning

School is over; to finish school for the day. Describes the end of the school day.

Specifically refers to the end of the school day, not graduation. Used mostly for primary and secondary school students. Often appears in the pattern 放学以后 (after school). The opposite is 上学 (go to school).

Examples

1. 我们三点半放学。 We finish school at half past three.
2. 放学以后你想做什么？ What do you want to do after school?
3. 妈妈每天来学校接我放学。 Mom comes to school to pick me up every day after school.

Usage Guide

Context: school, family

Tone: conversational

Do Say

• 你几点放学？(What time does school end?)
• 放学了，我们回家吧。(School's out, let's go home.)

Don't Say

• 大学生放学了。(Sounds unnatural for university students — 放学 is mainly used for primary and secondary school; say 下课了 instead)

Origin & History

Compound of 放 (to release, let go) and 学 (study, school) — literally 'to release from school.'

Cultural Context

Generation: Children and teenagers

Social background: Universal