How to Say "Let Me Go" in Chinese

放开我

fàng kāi wǒ

The English phrase 'let me go' is translated into Chinese as 放开我 (fàng kāi wǒ).

放开我 is used specifically to request a physical release from a grip, hold or restraint.

What does it mean word for word?

The phrase is composed of 放 (to release or put down), 开 (open or apart) and 我 (me).

While 放开我 refers to physical release from a grip, the phrase 让我走 refers to being allowed to leave a location or a situation.

The verb-complement structure 放开 indicates the completion of an action that results in a state of being released or opened.

fàng kāi wǒ

The character 放 also appears in the word 放屁, which literally means 'to release a fart' but is frequently used as a sharp idiom to tell someone they are talking nonsense.
The character 放 is used in the word 放风, which literally means 'releasing the wind' but is a common slang term for when a prisoner is allowed to go outside for a brief period of exercise.
While 放开我 is for physical grips, the related term 放手 meaning 'let go of the hand' is often used metaphorically to mean giving someone full autonomy or power to handle a project.

放开我，你正在掐着我的脖子。
Let me go, you're choking me.
This sentence is useful for expressing the need for physical release when being choked, using the form 放开我.
Tatoeba #634662 by U2FS, translation #1511062 by weihaiping
你们继续唱歌，让我走吧。
You guys keep singing, let me go.
我没时间了，别拦着我。
I don't have time, don't hold me back.
放开我，我很难受。
Fàng kāi wǒ, wǒ hěn nán shòu.
Let me go, I'm in pain.
你快放开我！
Nǐ kuài fàng kāi wǒ!
Let me go, quickly!

Wei is grabbing Zihan's arm to stop her from leaving.

梓涵 Zihan

你在干什么？快放开我！
Nǐ zài gàn shénme? Kuài fàngkāi wǒ!
What are you doing? Let me go!
伟 Wei

梓涵，听我解释。
Zǐhán, tīng wǒ jiěshì.
Zihan, listen to my explanation.
梓涵 Zihan

我现在不想听，放开我！
Wǒ xiànzài bù xiǎng tīng, fàngkāi wǒ!
I don't want to listen right now, let me go!
伟 Wei

好吧，我放手了。
Hǎo ba, wǒ fàngshǒu le.
Alright, I'll let go.

Sources

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