Meanings of 起来
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Podcast: 起来
Podcast: 起来
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AI Study Notes for 起来
站起来 (zhàn qǐlái) vs 起身 (qǐ shēn): use 起来 for a general sense of getting up or standing up, while 起身 is more formal and specific to the act of rising from a seated position.
Common mistakes include confusing 起来 with similar phrases or using it in the wrong context, such as saying '我起来去' (wǒ qǐ lái qù – I stand up to go) instead of '我起来' (wǒ qǐ lái – I get up). It's used in both formal and informal settings, so be mindful of context when using it in conversation. Remember to pronounce it correctly to avoid confusion with similar-sounding words.
As an HSK Level 3 word, 起来 connects with other verbs indicating movement or action, such as 站 (zhàn - to stand) and 坐 (zuò - to sit). Students should focus on using it in context, particularly in sentences that describe actions or states of being.
Learners often mistakenly use 起来 in contexts that require a different structure, such as saying '他起来吃' (tā qǐ lái chī – He stands up to eat) instead of '他起来了' (tā qǐ lái le – He has gotten up). Always ensure the verb precedes 起来 properly.
Pronunciation of 起来
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Component Characters
How to say to stand up in Chinese
“to stand up” in Chinese is起来
起来 (qǐ lái) means 'to stand up' or 'to get up' and is used to indicate the beginning and continuation of an action or state. It often follows a verb to express upward movement or a gathering action. In conversational contexts, it can also indicate an initial judgment after perception verbs like 看 (kàn).
When to use 起来
Common mistakes include confusing 起来 with similar phrases or using it in the wrong context, such as saying '我起来去' (wǒ qǐ lái qù – I stand up to go) instead of '我起来' (wǒ qǐ lái – I get up). It's used in both formal and informal settings, so be mindful of context when using it in conversation. Remember to pronounce it correctly to avoid confusion with similar-sounding words.
起来 or something close to it
站起来 (zhàn qǐlái) vs 起身 (qǐ shēn): use 起来 for a general sense of getting up or standing up, while 起身 is more formal and specific to the act of rising from a seated position.
What learners get wrong
Learners often mistakenly use 起来 in contexts that require a different structure, such as saying '他起来吃' (tā qǐ lái chī – He stands up to eat) instead of '他起来了' (tā qǐ lái le – He has gotten up). Always ensure the verb precedes 起来 properly.
Write 起来
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Practice writing 起来 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 起来
起来 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 11 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
这些苹果看____很好吃。
These apples look very delicious.
Example Sentences for 起来 (16)
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Frequently Asked Questions about 起来
Yes, 起来 can follow many verbs to indicate the continuation of an action, but it's important to ensure the verb pairs logically with the meaning.
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