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Direction complement 起来 ("qi3lai2")

起来 qǐlái

Grammar
HSK 3

Structure

Verb + 起来 Verb / Adj. + 起来 +了 Subj. + Verb + 起来 + Adv. + Adj.

Definition

"起来"是一个趋向补语，表示动作或状态从静态开始并持续，或者表示由下向上的动作方向。它还可以表示从分散到集中、从隐藏到显露等引申义。

"Qǐlái" is a directional complement indicating the start and continuation of an action or state, or an upward movement. It also has extended meanings such as from scattered to gathered or from hidden to revealed.

Usage

"起来"放在动词或形容词后，表示动作开始并持续，或表示动作的方向。例如："站起来"（stand up）、"听起来"（sound like）、"看起来"（look like）。

"Qǐlái" is placed after a verb or adjective to indicate the beginning and continuation of an action, or the direction of movement. For example: "Stand up" (zhàn qǐlái), "sound like" (tīng qǐlái), "look like" (kàn qǐlái).

Examples

  • 1 他站起来回答老师的问题。（He stood up to answer the teacher's question.）
  • 2 天气冷起来了，记得多穿衣服。（It's getting cold, remember to wear more clothes.）
  • 3 这首歌听起来很悲伤。（This song sounds very sad.）
  • 4 这个问题看起来很简单。（This problem looks very simple.）
  • 5 大家把桌子收拾起来。（Everyone, put the tables away.）
  • 6 她笑起来真好看。（She looks beautiful when she smiles.）

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