‘起来’ signifies the initiation or completion of an action, often involving upward movement or the emergence of a state.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Indicates rising or starting an action.
- Used for physical movement and emotional states.
- Commonly combined with other verbs and adjectives.
Overview
“起来”是汉语中一个非常常用的动词后缀，它主要有两种基本用法。第一种是表示物理上的“站起来”或“抬起来”的动作，通常是相对于坐、躺或蹲等较低的姿势而言。第二种用法是表示事物开始发展、产生或情绪的涌现，带有动态的意味。
形容词+起来：构成“形容词+起来”的结构，表示某种状态的出现或给人的感觉。
日常生活：起床、坐起来、站起来、拿起来。
自然现象：天亮起来了、雾气升起来了。
情感表达：高兴起来、伤心起来、害怕起来。
工作学习：动起(来)手、忙(起)来、学(起)来。
“站”是静态的动作，表示直立的姿势，不一定包含从其他姿势转换过来的过程。“站起来”则强调了这个转换过程。
“起”本身有开始、起床、向上等意思，但“起来”组合后，尤其在表示动作的完成或状态的出现时，更具动态感和完整性。
“向上”主要描述方向，而“起来”则侧重于动作的发生和状态的转变，尤其是在口语中更常用。
Examples
我该起床了。
everydayI should get up.
他慢慢地从沙发上坐了起来。
everydayHe slowly sat up from the sofa.
天渐渐亮起来了。
descriptiveThe sky is gradually brightening up.
听到这个笑话，大家都笑起来了。
informalHearing this joke, everyone started laughing.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
起床
get up (from bed)
站起来
stand up
坐起来
sit up
Often Confused With
'起' is a more general character meaning 'to rise', 'to start', or 'to get up'. '起来' is a verb complement that often emphasizes the completion, direction (upward), or initiation of an action, making it more dynamic.
'上来' and '下来' indicate movement towards or away from the speaker's location, respectively, and imply vertical direction. '起来' focuses more on the action itself or the state change, not necessarily relative to the speaker's position.
Grammar Patterns
How to Use It
Usage Notes
“起来” is a highly versatile verb-object compound or verb complement. Its meaning can shift significantly based on the preceding verb or adjective. It's very common in spoken Chinese and generally neutral in register, though specific combinations might lean more formal or informal.
Common Mistakes
Learners might overuse '起来' when a simpler verb like '站' or '坐' suffices. Also, mistaking its directionality – '起来' doesn't always mean 'up' in the English sense; it can mean 'start' or 'emerge'. Ensure the context supports the 'upward' or 'initiation' meaning.
Tips
Focus on the Movement
Remember that '起来' often implies a change in position or the start of an action, especially vertical movement.
Avoid Literal Translation
Don't always translate '起来' literally as 'up'. Consider the context to grasp its full meaning, like 'start' or 'emerge'.
Daily Routines
The phrase '起床' (get up from bed) is a fundamental part of daily routines and a very common early use of '起来'.
Word Origin
'起' (qǐ) means to rise, to start, or to get up. '来' (lái) means to come. Together, '起来' forms a compound verb or verb complement that emphasizes the action of rising, starting, or coming into being.
Cultural Context
The act of getting up ('起来') is a fundamental part of daily life across cultures. In Chinese culture, like many others, the morning routine of getting out of bed ('起床') is a significant daily event.
Memory Tip
Think of '起来' as the 'start-up' button for actions or feelings. It's what makes things 'get going' or 'rise' into existence.
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questions“站”描述的是一个直立的姿势，而“站起来”则强调了从坐、躺或其他姿势转变为站立这个过程。前者是状态，后者是动作。
是的，“起来”可以和很多表示情绪的词语搭配，如“高兴起来”、“生气起来”，表示情绪的产生或增强。
“动词+起来”通常表示动作的开始，或者强调动作的动态性。例如，“动起手来”表示开始动手做某事。
在某些用法中，“起来”后面可以跟其他词，例如“站起来了”，这里的“了”表示动作的完成或状态的变化。
Test Yourself
他从椅子上______。
这里需要表示从坐着的姿势站起来的动作，所以“起来”是最合适的词。
听到这个消息，他非常______。
这句话描述听到消息后的情绪变化，表示高兴的情绪开始出现，所以“高兴起来”最合适。
他 / 坐 / 起来 / 从
这是一个表示从坐姿变为站姿的句子，正确的语序是“他从坐起来”。
Score: /3
Summary
‘起来’ signifies the initiation or completion of an action, often involving upward movement or the emergence of a state.
- Indicates rising or starting an action.
- Used for physical movement and emotional states.
- Commonly combined with other verbs and adjectives.
Focus on the Movement
Remember that '起来' often implies a change in position or the start of an action, especially vertical movement.
Avoid Literal Translation
Don't always translate '起来' literally as 'up'. Consider the context to grasp its full meaning, like 'start' or 'emerge'.
Daily Routines
The phrase '起床' (get up from bed) is a fundamental part of daily routines and a very common early use of '起来'.
Examples
4 of 4我该起床了。
I should get up.
他慢慢地从沙发上坐了起来。
He slowly sat up from the sofa.
天渐渐亮起来了。
The sky is gradually brightening up.
听到这个笑话，大家都笑起来了。
Hearing this joke, everyone started laughing.
Related Content
This Word in Other Languages
Related Vocabulary
More general words
一下儿
A1a bit, a moment
点儿
A1a little bit
有点儿
A1a little, somewhat (negative connotation)
一下
A2A bit; a moment (used after a verb).
异样
B1different; unusual; strange
关于
A1about, concerning
快要
A2to be about to (happen)
大约
B1Used to show that a number or amount is not exact; approximately.
上边
A2above, on top
上面
A1on, above, over
