Meaning
起立 literally means 'to rise and stand.' It's a formal command or action meaning to stand up from a seated position. This word is most commonly heard in classrooms, military settings, and formal ceremonies where standing is done collectively or on command.
Usage
起立 is typically used in formal or institutional contexts. In Chinese classrooms, students say '老师好' (hello teacher) after the command '起立.' It's less common in casual conversation where people would simply say '站起来' (stand up). The word carries a sense of respect and formality.
Examples
- 01上课的时候，学生们听到老师说'起立'就马上站起来了。, ' ' .During class, when the students heard the teacher say 'stand up,' they immediately stood up.
- 02法官进入法庭时，所有人都要起立表示尊重。, .When the judge enters the courtroom, everyone must stand up to show respect.
Characters
Common collocations
- 全体起立everyone stand up
- 起立鼓掌to stand and applaud, standing ovation
- 请起立please stand up
Antonyms
Origin
The combination of 起 (to rise) and 立 (to stand) creates a compound emphasizing the complete action of rising from a lower position to a standing position. Both characters have ancient origins in describing physical positioning.