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响起 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
响起(of a sound) to come forth; (of a sound source) to ring out; to soundHSK 7, unknown, 19 strokes, rank #8317, Very Hard
  1. 1(of a sound) to come forth
  2. 2(of a sound source) to ring out
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March 24, 2026

响起

响起 (xiǎng qǐ) means 'to sound' or 'to ring out'. It is commonly used to describe sounds that suddenly occur, such as a bell ringing or music starting. This phrase can be used in various contexts, including announcements, alarms, or emotional responses like laughter and cheers.

Strokes19Frequency#8317DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the sound of gongs or bells is significant in ceremonies and celebrations, symbolizing good fortune and the start of events. The phrase 响起 captures the essence of these cultural moments.

Memory Tip

Imagine a bell that '响' (xiǎng) like a loud shout when it '起' (qǐ) rises up. Visualize the bell ringing loudly, making a sound that echoes in the air, helping you remember both the pronunciation and meaning.

Meanings of 响起

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In English

What does 响起 mean in English?

响起

About 响起

响起Simplified
19Strokes
—Radical
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

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Podcast: 响起

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AI Study Notes for 响起

Quick Contrast

响起 (xiǎng qǐ) vs 发声 (fā shēng) — use 响起 for sudden or unexpected sounds, while 发声 refers to the act of producing sound more generally.

Usage Notes

One common mistake is to confuse 响起 with just 响 (xiǎng), which means 'to sound' without the implication of rising or starting. This term is generally informal and can be used in everyday conversations about music or alarms. Be mindful of the tones; '响' should be pronounced with a rising tone, while '起' has a falling tone.

HSK Study Tips

响起 is relevant for HSK level 3 students as it combines two common characters, 听 (tīng - to listen) and 起 (qǐ - to rise). Students should focus on recognizing the characters and using them in phrases about sounds and music.

Common Mistakes

Learners sometimes say '响' without '起', which loses the sense of initiation or suddenness. Remember to use the full phrase to convey the correct meaning.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 响起

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Component Characters

响xiǎngecho
HSK 49 strokes口
View full entry
起qǐto rise
HSK 310 strokes走
View full entry

How to say (of a sound) to come forth in Chinese

“(of a sound) to come forth” in Chinese is响起

响起 (xiǎng qǐ) means 'to sound' or 'to ring out'. It is commonly used to describe sounds that suddenly occur, such as a bell ringing or music starting. This phrase can be used in various contexts, including announcements, alarms, or emotional responses like laughter and cheers.

When to use 响起

One common mistake is to confuse 响起 with just 响 (xiǎng), which means 'to sound' without the implication of rising or starting. This term is generally informal and can be used in everyday conversations about music or alarms. Be mindful of the tones; '响' should be pronounced with a rising tone, while '起' has a falling tone.

响起 or something close to it

响起 (xiǎng qǐ) vs 发声 (fā shēng) — use 响起 for sudden or unexpected sounds, while 发声 refers to the act of producing sound more generally.

What learners get wrong

Learners sometimes say '响' without '起', which loses the sense of initiation or suddenness. Remember to use the full phrase to convey the correct meaning.

Write 响起

响
起

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Frequently Asked Questions about 响起

Yes, it can describe various sounds, but it's often used for sudden or distinct noises like bells or alarms.

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