How to use the Chinese word "起来" in Chinese

 "起来" (qǐlái) is a versatile Chinese word that can function as a verb, a resultative complement, or a directional complement, conveying various meanings. Here's a detailed breakdown of its uses:

1. As a Verb: 起来 (qǐlái) - "to get up," "to rise"

This is the most basic and literal meaning of "起来."

• Meaning: To stand up, to get out of bed, to rise (from a sitting or lying position).
• Examples:
  • 你快起来！ (Nǐ kuài qǐlái!) - Get up quickly!
  • 她每天早上六点钟起来。 (Tā měitiān zǎoshang liù diǎn zhōng qǐlái.) - She gets up at 6 AM every day.
  • 请起来，坐下。 (Qǐng qǐlái, zuòxià.) - Please stand up, then sit down. (This sounds a bit like an instruction, emphasizing the standing up action first.)

2. As a Resultative Complement: -起来 (-qǐlái) - "to begin," "to appear to be," "to gather/accumulate"

When placed after a verb, "起来" indicates the result or outcome of the action. This is where it gets more nuanced.

a) Indicating the Beginning of an Action (often with an upward or outward motion):

• Meaning: To start, to begin (an action that often has an upward or outward trajectory, or an increasing intensity).
• Structure: Verb + 起来
• Examples:
  • 大家一起唱起来。 (Dàjiā yīqǐ chàng qǐlái.) - Everyone started singing together. (The singing started, often implying a rising volume or energy.)
  • 他笑起来了。 (Tā xiào qǐlái le.) - He started laughing. (The laughter began.)
  • 天突然下雨起来了。 (Tiān túrán xiàyǔ qǐlái le.) - It suddenly started raining.
  • 孩子们玩儿起来了。 (Háizimen wánr qǐlái le.) - The children started playing.

b) Indicating Apparent Perception or Judgment:

• Meaning: To seem, to appear to be, to sound/look/feel like (when judging something based on an impression).
• Structure: Adjective/Verb + 起来
• Examples:
  • 这件衣服看起来很贵。 (Zhè jiàn yīfu kàn qǐlái hěn guì.) - This piece of clothing looks expensive.
  • 这个主意听起来不错。 (Zhège zhǔyi tīng qǐlái bùcuò.) - This idea sounds good.
  • 吃起来怎么样？ (Chī qǐlái zěnmeyàng?) - How does it taste? (Lit. How is it when eaten?)
  • 她唱起来真好听。 (Tā chàng qǐlái zhēn hǎotīng.) - She sounds really good when she sings.
  • 这块肉闻起来有点儿怪。 (Zhè kuài ròu wén qǐlái yǒudiǎnr guài.) - This piece of meat smells a bit strange.

c) Indicating Collection, Gathering, or Accumulation:

• Meaning: To gather, to collect, to accumulate.
• Structure: Verb + 起来
• Examples:
  • 请把这些书收起来。 (Qǐng bǎ zhèxiē shū shōu qǐlái.) - Please put these books away (collect them).
  • 把衣服叠起来。 (Bǎ yīfu dié qǐlái.) - Fold the clothes up.
  • 我们应该把钱省起来。 (Wǒmen yīnggāi bǎ qián shěng qǐlái.) - We should save up money.
  • 他把资料整理起来了。 (Tā bǎ zīliào zhěnglǐ qǐlái le.) - He organized the materials (gathered them in order).

3. As a Directional Complement: -起来 (-qǐlái) - "upward," "to stand up"

This is used after a verb to indicate a direction of movement.

• Meaning:
  • 向上 (upward): The action moves in an upward direction.
  • 站立 (to stand up): The action results in someone standing up.
• Structure: Verb + 起来
• Examples:
  • 请把手举起来。 (Qǐng bǎ shǒu jǔ qǐlái.) - Please raise your hand. (Motion is upward.)
  • 他从椅子上站起来了。 (Tā cóng yǐzi shàng zhàn qǐlái le.) - He stood up from the chair. (Result is standing.)
  • 风把树叶吹起来了。 (Fēng bǎ shùyè chuī qǐlái le.) - The wind blew the leaves up. (Motion is upward.)
  • 孩子跳起来很高兴。 (Háizi tiào qǐlái hěn gāoxìng.) - The child jumped up happily. (Motion is upward.)

Summary of Key Uses:

Function	Meaning	Structure	Example
Verb	To get up, to rise	起来	他起来了。 (He got up.)
Resultative Comp.	Beginning: To start, to begin	Verb + 起来	他们唱起来了。 (They started singing.)
Resultative Comp.	Appearance/Judgment: To seem, to appear	Adj./Verb + 起来	这东西看起来很好。 (This thing looks good.)
Resultative Comp.	Collection: To gather, to accumulate	Verb + 起来	把书收起来。 (Put the books away.)
Directional Comp.	Upward motion: To rise, to lift	Verb + 起来	把手举起来。 (Raise your hand.)
Directional Comp.	Standing up: To stand from a position	Verb + 起来	他站起来了。 (He stood up.)

Important Notes:

• Context is Key: The exact meaning of "起来" is heavily dependent on the verb it follows and the overall context of the sentence.
• Separable Verb Potential: While not explicitly a separable verb in all its forms, some verbs followed by "起来" can have objects inserted between them, especially in the directional sense, but this is more common with other directional complements. For most uses of "起来," it stays directly attached to the verb.
• Le (了) Particle: Often, "起来" is followed by the particle "了" (le) to indicate the completion or occurrence of the action.

Mastering "起来" requires practice and exposure to various contexts. Pay close attention to the verb it modifies and the intended meaning of the sentence.