起来qǐlái

Extended Directional Complement: 起来 – Inception, Evaluation & Gathering

Meaning: Directional complement conveying extended meanings of inception, perspective, or gathering

Pattern

In HSK 5, the directional complement 起来 (qǐlái) is heavily tested for its three primary extended (figurative) meanings: (1) Inception and continuation of an action or state (e.g., 哭了起来 - burst into tears; 跑了起来 - began running).
Crucially, if an object is present, it MUST be inserted between 起 and 来 ({V} + 起 + {NP} + 来, e.g., 下起雨来, 想起一件事来); (2) Sensory or cognitive judgment when attached to perception verbs ({V} + 起来 + {Adj}, e.g., 看起来很贵 - looks expensive; 听起来不错 - sounds good; 尝起来 - tastes like); (3) Gathering, packing, or concealing (e.g., 收起来 - pack away; 藏起来 - hide away).

1
这件衣服看起来很贵。
Zhè jiàn yīfu kàn qǐlái hěn guì.
This piece of clothing looks very expensive.
2
听到这个消息，她突然哭了起来。
Tīngdào zhè ge xiāoxi, tā tūrán kū le qǐlái.
Hearing this news, she suddenly burst into tears.
3
请大家把书收起来，准备考试。
Qǐng dàjiā bǎ shū shōu qǐlái, zhǔnbèi kǎoshì.
Please put away your books, everyone, and get ready for the exam.

•Must precede 起来 with a sensory verb when evaluating (吃起来, 看起来); when an object is present, split as “V + 起 + Object + 来”.

⚠️ Common Mistakes:

•Incorrect: 这个菜起来很好吃 → Correct: 这个菜吃起来很好吃 (must include the perception verb 吃 before 起来).

•Incorrect: 想起来一件事 → Correct: 想起一件事来 (the noun object must be inserted between 起 and 来).

Combine Vocabulary, Grammar, Reading Practice, Listening, Hanzi Writing, and Mock Exams at HSK 5 to master all skills together.