Meaning
起来 is a highly versatile word that functions both as a standalone verb meaning 'to get up' or 'to stand up' and as a complement attached to other verbs. As a complement, it indicates upward movement (站起来 'stand up'), the beginning of an action (唱起来 'start singing'), or sometimes a subjective judgment or feeling when experiencing something (听起来 'sound like', 看起来 'appear to be').
Usage
When used alone, 起来 is a common everyday verb for getting out of bed or standing from a seated position. As a complement, it's attached directly to another verb without spaces in writing. Native speakers use it constantly in casual and formal speech. The complement usage is one of the most productive patterns in Mandarin, appearing with hundreds of verbs to modify their meaning.
Examples
- 01他早上七点就起来了。.He got up at seven o'clock in the morning.
- 02这个主意听起来不错。.This idea sounds pretty good.
Characters
Common collocations
- 站起来to stand up
- 看起来to appear, to seem
- 听起来to sound like
- 想起来to remember, to recall
Antonyms
Origin
The word combines 起 'to rise' with 来 'to come', literally suggesting movement toward the speaker or upward. This directional complement pattern is fundamental to Mandarin grammar, where 来 indicates motion toward and 起 indicates upward or initiating motion.