Definitions

(verb) to get up; to rise; to stand up
(verb) to start; to begin; to initiate
(verb) to happen; to occur; to appear
(verb) starting from (a time; place; price)

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound.

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character "起" is structurally composed of the radical 走, indicating movement, and the component 己, representing self, which together convey the idea of self-initiated motion. Its original meaning centered on the physical act of rising or standing up, and over time it expanded to encompass abstract beginnings, such as the start of an action or event, while also developing causative senses in compounds to indicate causing something to arise or commence.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

我早上床。

Wǒ zǎoshang qǐchuáng.

I get up in the morning.

他想一件事。

Tā xiǎngqǐ yī jiàn shì.

He remembers one thing.

太阳从东方升

Tàiyáng cóng dōngfāng shēngqǐ.

The sun rises from the east.

我们一学习中文。

Wǒmen yīqǐ xuéxí Zhōngwén.

We study Chinese together.

他站来回答问题。

Tā zhàn qǐlái huídá wèntí.

He stands up to answer the question.

这个故事源于古代。

Zhège gùshì qǐyuán yú gǔdài.

This story originates from ancient times.

经济发展引了变化。

Jīngjì fāzhǎn yǐnqǐle biànhuà.

Economic development has caused changes.

他突然想昨天发生的事情。

Tā tūrán xiǎngqǐ zuótiān fāshēng de shìqíng.

He suddenly remembered what happened yesterday.