V + 起 / V + 起来V + qǐ / V + qǐlái

Extended Directional Complements: V + 起 / V + 起来

Meaning: Bring up / Recall (V + 起 + O); Start to / When it comes to V-ing (V + 起来)

Pattern

At HSK 6, the directional complements "起" and "起来" have four major extended uses:
(1) "V + 起 + Object N" (touching upon / recalling a topic): used with verbs of speech or memory—提起, 说起, 谈起, 想起, 回想起—followed directly by a noun object (e.g., 说起这件事, 回想起童年).
(2) "V / Adj + 起来" (inchoative aspect — starting and continuing): indicates that an action or state begins and develops (e.g., 笑起来, 天气冷起来了).
Remember that if there is an object, it must be inserted between 起 and 来

1
说起这件事，他就忍不住笑。
Shuō qǐ zhè jiàn shì, tā jiù rěn bù zhù xiào.
Whenever this matter is brought up, he cannot help laughing.
2
天气渐渐冷起来了。
Tiānqì jiànjiàn lěng qǐlái le.
The weather has gradually started to get cold.
3
这道菜看起来很好吃。
Zhè dào cài kàn qǐlái hěn hǎochī.
This dish looks very delicious.
4
童年，我感慨万千。

•When V + 起来 takes an object, the object must go BETWEEN 起 and 来 (V + 起 + O + 来) or right after V + 起 (说起这件事).

⚠️ Common Mistakes:

•Placing the object after 起来 (*想起来你 / *唱起来歌): the object must go between 起 and 来 (想起你来 / 唱起歌来).

•Attaching 起来 to static non-action verbs like 是, 有, or 在.

•Confusing evaluative "V + 起来" (when V-ed / looks/sounds) with the literal verb 起来

Combine Vocabulary, Grammar, Reading Practice, Listening, Hanzi Writing, and Mock Exams at HSK 6 to master all skills together.