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March 24, 2026
起飞(起飛)qǐfēi(qi3fei1)
起飞 (qǐfēi) means 'to take off' in the context of an aircraft departing from the ground. It is commonly used in travel, aviation discussions, and can also metaphorically describe starting a new venture or project.
Strokes13Frequency#3252DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of taking off is often associated with new beginnings, such as new jobs or life phases, reflecting the importance of change and progress in society.
Memory Tip
Imagine an airplane with its wings spread wide, preparing to leap into the sky. The character 起 (qǐ) looks like a person standing up, symbolizing 'rising' or 'getting up,' while 飞 (fēi) resembles a bird in flight, emphasizing the action of taking off.
Meanings of 起飞
qǐfēi(qi3fei1)
1(of an aircraft) to take off
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About 起飞
起飞Simplified
起飛Traditional
13Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#3252Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L3HSK 3.0L3ElementaryTOCFLL2HSKKL1CEFRA1
Podcast: 起飞
Podcast: 起飞
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AI Study Notes for 起飞
Quick Contrast
起飞 (qǐfēi) vs 起程 (qǐchéng) — use 起飞 for aircraft taking off, while 起程 refers to the start of a journey, not specifically by air.
Usage Notes
Be mindful of the context; 起飞 is often used in formal discussions about flights. A common mistake is using it in informal contexts, like 'taking off' in daily conversations, where you might instead say '走了' (zǒu le) for 'I'm leaving.'
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 3 word, 起飞 builds on the vocabulary of travel and transportation. Students should practice using it in sentences related to flights and also learn related terms like 飞机 (fēijī - airplane) and 降落 (jiàngluò - to land).
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 起飞 with 降落 (jiàngluò - to land), using it incorrectly in contexts discussing arrivals. For example, saying '飞机在起飞' (The plane is landing) should be corrected to '飞机在降落'.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 起飞
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How to say (of an aircraft) to take off in Chinese
“(of an aircraft) to take off” in Chinese is起飞qǐfēi
起飞 (qǐfēi) means 'to take off' in the context of an aircraft departing from the ground. It is commonly used in travel, aviation discussions, and can also metaphorically describe starting a new venture or project.
When to use 起飞
Be mindful of the context; 起飞 is often used in formal discussions about flights. A common mistake is using it in informal contexts, like 'taking off' in daily conversations, where you might instead say '走了' (zǒu le) for 'I'm leaving.'
起飞 or something close to it
起飞 (qǐfēi) vs 起程 (qǐchéng) — use 起飞 for aircraft taking off, while 起程 refers to the start of a journey, not specifically by air.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 起飞 with 降落 (jiàngluò - to land), using it incorrectly in contexts discussing arrivals. For example, saying '飞机在起飞' (The plane is landing) should be corrected to '飞机在降落'.
Write 起飞
起
飞
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Grammar Patterns of 起飞
起飞 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. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
