起来 (qǐlái) comes up very frequently in Chinese and can be used both literally and figuratively. This is a little like the usage of "up" in English, which can be used literally, as in "stand up," or figuratively, as in "add up." When used figuratively, 起来 often serves as a direction complement. Basic Meaning 起来 can be used to express an upward movement like "up," as in the English examples of "stand up" or "pick up." Structure: Verb + 起来 Examples: 请大家站起来。(qǐng dàjiā zhàn qǐlái) = Everyone, please stand up. 捡起来。(jiǎn qǐlái) = Pick it up (from the floor). 头抬起来。(tóu tái qǐlái) = Raise your head. 别动！把手举起来。(bié dòng! Bǎ shǒu jǔ qǐlái) = Don't move! Put your hands up. Used for Initiation of an Action 起来 can also be used to show that an action or state has started and is ongoing. Structure: Verb / Adj. + 起来 +了 Examples: 小鸟飞起来了。(xiǎoniǎo fēi qǐlái le) = The birds started flying. 宝宝哭起来了。(bǎobao kū qǐlái le) = The baby started crying. 两个大妈吵起来了。(liǎng gè dàmā chǎo qǐlái le) = Two middle-aged ladies started arguing. 天气热起来了。(tiānqì rè qǐlái le) = It's getting hot. 结婚以后，她胖起来了。(jiéhūn yǐhòu, tā pàng qǐlái le) = After she got married, she has started to gain weight. 爷爷的身体好起来了。(yéye de shēntǐ hǎo qǐlái le) = Grandpa's health is getting better. When used like this, 起来 is only used with spontaneous actions, like 唱 (chàng), 跳 (tiào), 聊 (liáo), or with states like 热 (rè), 冷 (lěng), or 好 (hǎo) etc. It cannot be used with planned actions. It can also used as a way to encourage people to start doing something immediately: 大家唱起来，跳起来! (dàjiā chàng qǐlái, tiào qǐlái) = Let's sing and dance, everybody! Used for an Initial Judgement 起来 is used here to express that the speaker has only just initiated an action, and based on that, has made a preliminary judgment. Structure: Subj. + Verb + 起来 + Adv. + Adj. This expresses that the subject seems adjective when the action of the verb is performed. This structure is frequently used with perception verbs such as 看, 听, 闻, 摸, etc. Examples: 他看起来很友好。(tā kàn qǐlái hěn yǒuhǎo) = He looks very friendly. 你的头发闻起来很香。(nǐ de tóufa wén qǐlái hěn xiāng) = Your hair smells good. 这件事情听起来有点复杂。(zhè jiàn shìqing tīng qǐlái yǒudiǎn fùzá) = This matter sounds a little bit complex. 这些菜尝起来都不错。(zhèxiē cài cháng qǐlái dōu bùcuò) = These foods all taste good. 你的床摸起来很舒服。(nǐ de chuáng mō qǐlái hěn shūfu) = Your bed feels very comfortable. # Our teachers # More than 10 years teaching experience Master Degree Certificate for teaching chinese as a foreign language   # About us # Founded in 2007 Chinese test and training center 200+ Chinese teachers 5000+ students  # Contact us# Name:fiona Phone number:021-52287809,13918358891 E-mail:info@mandarinmorning.com www.mandarinmorning.com If you are interested to join Mandarin Morning school or want more details about our services, scan the following QR code. ☟   Mandarin Morning Chinese test center attached to Confucius institute headquarters Authorized Test Center and Training Center for International Chinese Language Teacher Certificater 10 years+ ，200 teachers ，more 10000 students，200+companies  |
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