Learn the three main uses of the Chinese verb complement 起来 (qǐlái) – direction, result, and beginning of action
Up (Direction)
Indicates upward movement or rising
Key: Physical upward movement
Up (Result)
Indicates completion or result of action
Key: Action with completed result
Start to
Indicates beginning of an action or state
Key: Beginning or inception
1 Up (Direction)
In intermediate grammar, we learned that 起来 (qǐlái), as a verb complement, can be suffixed to certain verbs to indicate upward direction or rising movement. This is the most literal meaning of 起来, indicating physical movement from a lower to a higher position.
Direction Visualization
Examples: Direction Usage
2 Up (Indicating a Result)
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3 Start to (Beginning of Action)
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Practice Exercises
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