HSK 4 · VERSION 2.0#70
Advanced Uses of Direction Complement “-qǐlái”
起来
How it works
At HSK4, 起来 (qǐlái) is no longer only a physical direction complement. It can also show:
the beginning of an action
the start of a state
a general judgment or impression
Example sentences
他突然笑起来了。
He suddenly started laughing.
大家都忙起来了。
Everyone became busy.
这件事说起来很简单。
This matter sounds simple when talked about.
Key point
起来 (qǐlái) often becomes more abstract at higher levels.