Verb / Adj + 起来 (start to …)
IntroducedMark the start without guaranteeing endless continuation
- A joke prompts people to start laughing.
- everyone大家laugh笑start to起来(completed / change)了。 — start to起来 highlights the onset of laughter.
A joke prompts people to start laughing. What does 大家笑起来了。 communicate?
起来 highlights the onset of laughter. The laughter may continue for a while, but not indefinitely. The assessment use in 听起来不错 is a different construction.
Build the form
- The pattern in this lesson is Verb / Adj + start to起来 (start to …). Locate it in the original interlinear examples below.
- Keep the words in their demonstrated positions; the pattern must fit the intended situation as well as the sentence form.
everyone大家laugh笑start to起来了。
Using the lesson pattern in this demonstrated example: Everyone started laughing: 大家笑 ____ 了。
Verb + 起来 here = start to: 大家笑起来了.
Read examples in context
- In the opening example, everyone大家laugh笑start to起来(completed / change)了。: start to起来 highlights the onset of laughter.
- Explain who acts, what is described and which time or group is relevant before choosing an English paraphrase.
What does 起来 mark in 下起雨来?
起来 marks the beginning; with an object it splits: 下起雨来.
Know the boundary
- The laughter may continue for a while, but not indefinitely.
- The assessment use in to listen to听start to起来correct不错 is a different construction.
With an object, 起来 splits around it: 下起雨来.
Yes — 起 + 雨 + 来 = 下起雨来.
In the opening situation: 起来 highlights the onset of laughter.
The laughter may continue for a while, but not indefinitely. The assessment use in 听起来不错 is a different construction. 起来 highlights the onset of laughter.
Use the distinction
- start to起来 highlights the onset of laughter.
- The laughter may continue for a while, but not indefinitely. The assessment use in to listen to听start to起来correct不错 is a different construction.
Read the full reference: HSK 4 grammar — Complements.
A joke prompts people to start laughing. Close the examples. Say a Mandarin response, then write it in Chinese. Explain briefly in English what the lesson’s pattern adds. Compare with the model, then change one detail and try again.
This is supported productive practice. Compare meaning and structure; your answer need not copy the model. A partner or teacher must hear the spoken response to comment on pronunciation.