Navigation
Grammar Levels
HSK 1
27 points
HSK 2
49 points
HSK 3
92 points
HSK 4
99 points
HSK 5
45 points
Resources
Indicating the start of an action with 起 (qǐ)
Aspect & Tense
Sequence & Order
Structure
Verb + 起 + 了
Explanation
The verb complement 起 (qǐ) is placed after a verb to indicate the beginning or initiation of an action. It suggests that an activity has started and is continuing. For example, 烤起了 means "started grilling."
Examples
他们在河边烤起了肉串。
Tāmen zài hébiān kǎoqǐ le ròuchuàn.
They started grilling meat skewers by the river.
大家围在一起唱起了歌。
Dàjiā wéi zài yìqǐ chàngqǐ le gē.
Everyone gathered together and started singing.
她突然笑起来了。
Tā tūrán xiào qǐlái le.
She suddenly started laughing.