放逐 is a formal literary verb meaning 'to banish' or 'to exile' — to forcibly remove someone from their homeland, community, or position as punishment or political strategy. The first character 放 (fàng) means 'to release' or 'to let go', while 逐 (zhú) means 'to drive away' or 'to expel'; together, they convey the idea of actively casting someone out, often permanently and with authority. Historically, it was used for exiling officials or nobles; today, it appears mainly in historical narratives, literature, legal discourse, or political commentary.

Unlike everyday verbs like 赶走 (gǎn zǒu, 'to drive away') or 开除 (kāi chú, 'to dismiss'), 放逐 carries strong connotations of gravity, injustice, or tragic consequence. It implies loss of status, rights, and belonging — not just physical removal but social erasure. It is rarely used in casual speech and never for temporary or minor relocations (e.g., moving cities or changing schools). Its tone is solemn and often evokes themes of power, justice, and displacement.