How to say “start doing” in Chinese with 起来 (qǐlái)
Verb / Adj. + 起来 (qǐlái)
起来 (qǐ lái) — starting an action
Verb / Adj. + 起来 (qǐlái)
HSK 4Complements起来 (qǐ lái) — starting an action
Rule structure
-起来 (-qǐlái) as a complement can indicate the beginning and continuation of an action (inchoative aspect). It is an advanced usage beyond physical direction.
Rule structure
-起来 (-qǐlái) as a complement can indicate the beginning and continuation of an action (inchoative aspect). It is an advanced usage beyond physical direction.
Examples
他一听这话，就哭起来了。
Tā yī tīng zhè huà, jiù kū qǐlái le.
As soon as he heard this, he started crying.
Examples
他一听这话，就哭起来了。
Tā yī tīng zhè huà, jiù kū qǐlái le.
As soon as he heard this, he started crying.
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Frequently asked questions
How do you say “starting an action” in Chinese with 起来?
Use the structure: Verb / Adj. + 起来 (qǐlái). For example: 他一听这话，就哭起来了。 — “As soon as he heard this, he started crying.”.
What is an example sentence with this grammar rule?
他一听这话，就哭起来了。 — “As soon as he heard this, he started crying.”.
Which HSK level includes this grammar rule?
This grammar rule is part of HSK 4.
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More HSK 4 grammar rules
全 — whole, entire
全 (quán) + Measure Word + Noun
到 — until (time/place/degree)
Verb + 到 (dào) + Time / Place / Degree
连 + verb — not even
连 (lián) + Verb + 都 (dōu) + 不 (bù) / 没 (méi) + Verb
原来 — it turns out, originally
Subj. + 原来 (yuánlái) + Predicate
得 — must, have to
Subj. + 得 (děi) + Verb Phrase
不管 — no matter
不管 (bùguǎn)⋯⋯，都 (dōu) / 也 (yě)⋯⋯
无论 — no matter what
无论 (wúlùn) / 不论 (bùlùn)⋯⋯，都 (dōu) / 也 (yě)⋯⋯
难道 — rhetorical question “isn’t it…?”
难道 (nándào) + Statement + 吗 (ma)?