How to use 起来
Verb + 起来
起来 can describe upward movement after an action verb. In these literal uses, the action results in something rising, being lifted, or taking an upright position. The complement follows the main verb; when a thing is explicitly handled, a 把 construction can make its relationship to the movement especially clear.
The same form also has extended uses. With suitable activities, it presents the action as beginning or gathering momentum. After sensory verbs, it introduces an impression of how something looks, sounds, smells, tastes, or feels. The following description gives that impression. Read the entire predicate to decide whether 起来 describes physical direction, the onset of activity, or an assessment based on experience.
Examples with pinyin and English
请大家站起来。
Everyone, please stand up.
捡起来。
Pick it up (from the floor).
头抬起来。
Raise your head.
别动！ 把手举起来。
Don't move! Put your hands up.
What to remember
- 起来 follows the main verb.
- It can signal an action beginning.
- Sensory Verb + 起来 introduces an impression.
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Source and editorial notes
Explanation rewritten for Laowai. Examples are adapted from the Laowai English grammar curriculum, with editorial corrections where needed. The original curriculum credits AllSet Learning’s Chinese Grammar Wiki as used with permission. Read the retained source credits.
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