放晴 (fàng qíng) is a verb meaning 'to clear up' — specifically, when the sky becomes cloudless and sunny after rain or overcast weather. Literally, 放 (fàng) means 'to release' or 'to let go', and 晴 (qíng) means 'clear (weather)' or 'sunny'. Together, they evoke the image of clouds 'releasing' or 'giving way' to reveal clear skies — a poetic, idiomatic compound used almost exclusively for weather transitions.

This word is commonly heard in daily weather reports, casual conversation about outdoor plans, and descriptive writing. It’s not used for artificial lighting or metaphorical 'clarity' (e.g., 'clearing up confusion'); it refers strictly to natural atmospheric conditions improving. Unlike the standalone noun 晴天 (qíngtiān, 'sunny day'), 放晴 emphasizes the *change* — the moment or process of clearing, not the resulting state.