Verb + 起来 (beginning)
HSK 3- Complements
Structure (结构 jiégòu)
Verb / Adjective起来
Meaning (意思 yìsi)
The complement 起来 is used after a verb or adjective to indicate that an action is beginning or a new state is emerging.
Explanation (解释 jiěshì)
Use 起来 directly after a verb or adjective to express that an action or state begins and tends to continue.
The literal meaning of 起来 is "to stand up," but as a complement it takes on a figurative meaning:
- With verbs:
唱起来(start singing),聊起来(start chatting). - With adjectives:
天气热起来了(the weather is starting to get hot),房间干净起来了(the room is starting to get cleaner).
Examples (例句 lìjù)(5)
- 天冷起来了。繁: 天冷起來了。Tiān lěng qǐlái le.
The weather is getting cold.
- 他突然笑起来了。繁: 他突然笑起來了。Tā tūrán xiào qǐlái le.
He suddenly burst out laughing.
- 雨下起来了。繁: 雨下起來了。Yǔ xià qǐlái le.
It has started to rain.
- 他们聊起来了。繁: 他們聊起來了。Tāmen liáo qǐlái le.
They started chatting.
- 房间安静起来了。繁: 房間安靜起來了。Fángjiān ānjìng qǐlái le.
The room became quiet.
Common mistakes
- Wrong:我起来学习汉语。Correct:我开始学习汉语。
起来 is a complement that must follow the verb. To express the meaning "begin to do something," use the verb 开始 placed before it.
- Wrong:他吃饭起来了。Correct:他吃起饭来了。
When a verb has an object, the object is usually placed between 起 and 来. Alternatively, you can use a simpler structure: 他开始吃饭了。