燃放 is a compound verb meaning 'to set off (fireworks or firecrackers)'. It combines two characters: 燃 (rán), meaning 'to burn' or 'to ignite', and 放 (fàng), meaning 'to release' or 'to let go'. Together, they vividly describe the action of igniting and releasing pyrotechnics into the air. This word is almost exclusively used for fireworks and firecrackers—not for other kinds of burning or releasing—and carries a festive, celebratory connotation.

You’ll hear 燃放 most often during holidays like Chinese New Year, National Day, or weddings, where fireworks symbolize joy and good fortune. It’s commonly paired with nouns like 烟花 (yānhuā, 'fireworks'), 鞭炮 (biānpào, 'firecrackers'), or 礼花 (lǐhuā, 'ceremonial fireworks'). While it can appear in both formal announcements and casual speech, its usage is tightly bound to controlled, intentional ignition—not accidental fires or general combustion.