The Chinese character “起” (qǐ) is versatile and has multiple usages in different contexts. Here are its main applications:
1. As a verb meaning “to rise” or “to stand up”
– It describes the action of moving upward from a lower position or standing from a sitting/lying state.
- Example: 他从椅子上站起来了。(Tā cóng yǐzi shàng zhàn qǐlái le. – He stood up from the chair.)
- Example: 太阳升起来了。(Tài yáng shēng qǐlái le. – The sun has risen.)
2. As a preposition meaning “starting from”
– It indicates the starting point in time for an action or habit.
- Example: 从明天起，我每天学习30分钟汉语。(Cóng míngtiān qǐ, wǒ měitiān xuéxí 30 fēnzhōng Hànyǔ. – Starting from tomorrow, I will study Chinese for 30 minutes every day.)
3. As a verb meaning “to get up” (from bed)
– Specifically refers to the action of rising from bed after sleeping.
- Example: 他每天早上六点起床。(Tā měitiān zǎoshang liù diǎn qǐchuáng. – He gets up at six o’clock every morning.)
4. In set phrases or idioms
– It often carries figurative meanings in fixed expressions.
- Example: 白手起家 (bái shǒu qǐ jiā – To build up from nothing)
- Example: 东山再起 (dōng shān zài qǐ – To stage a comeback)
5. As a complement
– When used after some verbs, it functions as a complement to indicate the completion or result of an action, often implying “up” or “out”.
- Example: 拿起书 (ná qǐ shū – Pick up the book)
- Example: 想起一件事 (xiǎng qǐ yí jiàn shì – Remember one thing)
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