起来

§ What does it mean and when do people use it?

The Chinese word “起来” (qǐlái) is a versatile term that frequently appears in everyday conversations. At its core, it literally translates to “to get up” or “to rise.” However, its usage extends far beyond this simple definition, acting as a powerful indicator of various actions and states. Understanding 起来 is crucial for any A2 learner looking to sound more natural and grasp common phrases.

Let's break down its primary meanings and how it functions in different contexts. The most straightforward use of 起来 is to describe physical movement from a lower position to a higher one, like getting out of bed or standing up from a chair.

DEFINITION

To get up; to rise (physical movement).

Translation hint: I (wǒ) morning (zǎoshang) seven o'clock (qī diǎn) get up (qǐlái).

Translation hint: Please (qǐng nǐ) stand (zhàn) up (qǐlái).

Beyond physical rising, 起来 is frequently used as a **resultative complement** after other verbs to indicate the **commencement or emergence of an action or state**. This is where it gets interesting and sometimes a little tricky for learners. It suggests that something has started, or that a new condition has come into being. Think of it as indicating an upward trend or an initial stage.

DEFINITION

To start; to begin (indicating the commencement of an action or state).

For example, if you say “听起来” (tīng qǐlái), it means “it sounds like” or “it sounds as if.” The verb 听 (tīng) means “to listen” or “to hear,” and 起来 adds the nuance of something *beginning to sound* in a particular way.

Translation hint: This (zhège) plan (jìhuà) sounds (tīng qǐlái) good (bùcuò).

Similarly, “看起来” (kàn qǐlái) means “it looks like” or “it seems.” The verb 看 (kàn) means “to look” or “to see.”

Translation hint: Outside (wàimiàn) it looks like (kàn qǐlái) it's going to rain (yào xià yǔ le).

Another common use is to indicate the start of an action, especially when it involves speaking or laughing. This is often seen with verbs like 说 (shuō, to speak), 唱 (chàng, to sing), or 笑 (xiào, to laugh).

Translation hint: He (tā) suddenly (tūrán) started to laugh (xiào qǐlái le).

Translation hint: We (wǒmen) started (kāishǐ) to sing (chàng qǐlái).

Finally, 起来 can also mean **“to gather” or “to collect,”** indicating that multiple items or pieces are being brought together. This usage is less common for A2 learners but good to be aware of.

DEFINITION

To gather; to collect.

Translation hint: Put (bǎ) these (zhè xiē) books (shū) away/collect (shōu qǐlái).

In summary, while “起来” initially means “to get up,” its role as a resultative complement is where its true versatility lies. It helps express the beginning of an action, an emerging state, or a subjective impression. Pay close attention to the verb it follows, as this will often dictate the specific nuance of “起来” in any given sentence.

• To summarize, 起来 can mean:
• To get up (physical action).
• To begin/start an action or state.
• To form an impression (with sensory verbs).
• To gather/collect (less common for A2).

Mastering 起来 will significantly improve your ability to understand and produce more natural-sounding Chinese. Keep practicing with different verbs, and you'll soon use it like a native speaker!

§ What 起来 means

Chinese Word

起来 (qǐlái)

Pronunciation

chee-lye

Part of Speech

Verb

CEFR Level

A2

Definition

to get up; (indicating rising)

Alright, let's talk about 起来 (qǐlái). This word is super common in Chinese, and you'll hear it all the time. At its most basic, it means 'to get up' or 'to rise'. But it's also used to show that something is starting or increasing. It's a versatile word, so understanding its different uses will really help you sound more natural.

§ Getting up (literally)

The most straightforward use of 起来 is when someone physically gets up, like from a bed or a chair. This is probably how you'll learn it first, and it's easy to grasp.

Translation hint: I wake up at 7 AM. (早上 zǎoshang: morning; 七点 qī diǎn: seven o'clock)

Translation hint: Please stand up. (请 qǐng: please; 站 zhàn: to stand)

§ Indicating a beginning or rising trend

This is where 起来 gets more interesting. It can also be used as a complement after a verb to show that an action is starting or that something is increasing or developing. Think of it as indicating a movement from a lower or inactive state to a higher or active state, even if it's not a physical 'getting up'.

• Starting an action: When you combine 起来 with certain verbs, it can mean the action is commencing.

Translation hint: He started to laugh. (笑 xiào: to laugh; 了 le: indicates a change of state)

Translation hint: It's getting dark. (天 tiān: sky; 黑 hēi: dark)

• Gathering or accumulating: You'll also see 起来 used to show things coming together or increasing.

Translation hint: Put the books away/gather the books. (把 bǎ: introduces object; 书 shū: book; 收 shōu: to collect/put away)

Translation hint: Everyone started discussing/everyone got into a discussion. (大家 dàjiā: everyone; 讨论 tǎolùn: to discuss)

§ Hearing 起来 at work, school, and in the news

Because of its versatility, 起来 pops up in many contexts. At work, you might hear a boss telling people to 'get up' for a meeting, or if a project 'starts' to look promising. In school, a teacher might tell students to 'stand up', or you might hear about prices 'rising'. In the news, you often hear about numbers 'going up' or a new trend 'starting'.

• Work:

Translation hint: The meeting will start in five minutes. (会议 huìyì: meeting; 五分钟 wǔ fēnzhōng: five minutes; 后 hòu: after)

• School:

Translation hint: The teacher told us to start reading aloud. (老师 lǎoshī: teacher; 叫 jiào: to tell/ask; 我们 wǒmen: us; 读 dú: to read)

• News:

Translation hint: Prices have started to rise. (物价 wùjià: commodity prices; 开始 kāishǐ: to start; 涨 zhǎng: to rise)

As you can see, 起来 is everywhere. The key is to pay attention to the main verb it's attached to and the context. With a bit of practice, you'll naturally understand which meaning is being used.