Verb + 起来
Reach for Verb + 起来 in three closely-linked situations: an action moving upward (站起来 stand up, 拿起来 pick up), an action springing into existence (笑起来 burst out laughing, 哭起来 break into tears), or a sensory impression you're forming on the spot (看起来 looks like, 听起来 sounds like, 吃起来 tastes like). The directional 起来 attaches to the verb as a complement, and what follows depends on which of the three meanings you're using. It's everywhere in conversation, especially the 'seems like' usage.
Structure
[VERB] 起来 ([REST OF SENTENCE])
[VERB] qǐlái
How to Think About It
起来 is literally 'rise + come' — and that's the metaphor for every use. Something physically rises (stand up), an action arises out of stillness (laughter erupts), or a judgment rises in your mind from sensing the thing (looks/sounds/tastes good). All three uses share the same shape: VERB + 起来 + optional rest. The 'seems like' use is the only one that can take a predicate after it: 看起来很贵 = looks expensive. The other two finish the verb's action and that's it.
Examples
他突然站了起来。
Tā tūrán zhàn le qǐlái.
He suddenly stood up.
孩子们笑了起来。
Háizimen xiào le qǐlái.
The kids burst out laughing.
这道菜看起来很好吃。
Zhè dào cài kàn qǐlái hěn hǎochī.
This dish looks delicious.
这个问题看起来简单, 做起来很难。
Zhège wèntí kàn qǐlái jiǎndān, zuò qǐlái hěn nán.
This problem looks easy but is hard to actually do.
他突然唱起歌来。
Tā tūrán chàng qǐ gē lái.
He suddenly burst into song.
天气慢慢热起来了。
Tiānqì mànman rè qǐlái le.
The weather is gradually getting hot.
Common Mistake
Learners drop 起来 between the verb and its object ('站起来椅子'), mixing up complement and object placement. With a directional complement like 起来, the object usually slots BETWEEN the verb and 起来, or — for the sensory use — there's no object at all because 起来 modifies the verb itself.
他拿起来书。
他拿起书来。
Don't Confuse With
Verb + 上来
Use 上来 for movement up toward the speaker ('come up here'). 起来 emphasizes the rising action itself, not the direction relative to anyone.
Verb + 出来
Use 出来 for actions emerging out (走出来 walk out, 看出来 figure out). 起来 is about rising or arising, not exiting.
好像 / 仿佛...
Use 好像 in front of a clause to say 'seems like X happened.' Verb + 起来 in the sensory sense attaches to a specific sense verb (看, 听, 吃) and gives an immediate impression.
V + 下去
下去 = keep going (continuation already in progress); 起来 = start up or emerge from nothing.
V + 出来
出来 = bring forth / figure out / become apparent through identification (我认出来了 = I recognized it). 起来 = a state rises or evaluation perspective.
Practice
Fill in the blank: 听 ___ 不错。 (sounds)
Show answer
起来
Fill in the blank: 请大家 ___ 起来。 (stand)
Show answer
站
Arrange: 起来 / 这件 / 衣服 / 漂亮 / 看 / 很
Show answer
这件衣服看起来很漂亮。
Translate: He suddenly remembered her name.
Show answer
他突然想起来她的名字。
Describe how a food tastes or looks using Verb + 起来.
Show answer
这个蛋糕吃起来很甜。
这个菜尝_____ 很好吃。 (tastes)
Show answer
起来
孩子们玩_____ 游戏来了。 (start playing)
Show answer
起
Arrange: 起来 / 这件事 / 简单 / 听 / 不
Show answer
这件事听起来不简单。
Translate: Once the rain started, it didn't stop.
Show answer
雨一下起来就停不了。
Use V/A + 起来 to evaluate something based on appearance or sound.
Show answer
这首歌听起来很熟悉, 但我忘了名字。
Hear It in Real Episodes
This pattern appears in 4 Fluentide episodes. Press play to hear the sentence:
查尔斯说这个话的时候，国会的人都站了起来。
When Charles said this, all the people in Congress stood up.
King Charles Jokes About 1814 White House Fire
这听起来是不是有点奇怪？
Does this sound a bit strange?
Doubao AI Gives Fashion Advice to Chinese YouthElementary
这一消息引发华盛顿的高度关注。
This news has drawn high attention in Washington.
Trump Demands Iran's Unconditional SurrenderAdvanced
Related Grammar Patterns
Acquire by listening
Hear Verb + 起来 in real Chinese, not in a textbook.
Fluentide picks the next news episode at your level, so this pattern shows up again and again in real context. The transcript marks it, the audio drills it. Free to start.