放水

fàngshuǐ

verb HSK 7 #16,803

Meanings

1 to drain water
2 to let water out
3 to go easy on someone (slang)

Characters

to release; to let go

Examples

水库开始放水了。

Shuǐkù kāishǐ fàngshuǐ le.

The reservoir has started releasing water.

裁判是不是在放水？

Cáipàn shì bu shì zài fàngshuǐ?

Is the referee going easy on them?

Tips

usage

Besides the literal meaning of releasing water, 放水 is commonly used in sports and gaming slang to mean deliberately losing or going easy on an opponent.

Stroke Order

放 fàng

水 shuǐ