To start – V + 起 qǐ

Grammar Point:
In Mandarin Chinese, 起 qǐ can be used after a verb to show that an action begins or starts happening.
It often gives the feeling of “starting into action” or “beginning a new state.”

Structure

Verb + 起 qǐ (Object + 來来 lái)

突然tūrán下xià起qǐ雨yǔ來lái了le突然tūrán下xià起qǐ雨yǔ来lái了le
Suddenly it started to rain.

他tā怎麼zěnme打dǎ開kāi中文zhōngwén書shū就jiù睡shuì起qǐ來lái了le他tā怎么zěnme打dǎ开kāi中文zhōngwén书shū就jiù睡shuì起qǐ来lái了le
How come he falls asleep as soon as he opens a Chinese book?

因為yīnwèi我的wǒde求婚qiúhūn， 我wǒ女朋友nǚpéngyǒu哭kū起來qǐlái了le因为yīnwèi我的wǒde求婚qiúhūn， 我wǒ女朋友nǚpéngyou哭kū起来qǐlái了le
My girlfriend started to cry because of my purpose.

大家dàjiā突然tūrán安靜ānjìng起來qǐlái大家dàjiā突然tūrán安静ānjìng起来qǐlái
Everyone suddenly became quiet.

公司gōngsī最近zuìjìn忙máng起來qǐlái了le公司gōngsī最近zuìjìn忙máng起来qǐlái了le
The company has become busy recently.

他tā一yì聽到tīngdào這個zhège消息xiāoxí就jiù生氣shēngqì起來qǐlái他tā一yì听到tīngdào这个zhège消息xiāoxī就jiù生气shēngqì起来qǐlái
As soon as he heard the news, he became angry.

大家dàjiā聽tīng了le都dōu笑xiào起來qǐlái了le大家dàjiā听tīng了le都dōu笑xiào起来qǐlái了le
Everyone started laughing after hearing it.

📌 If there is an object, “來来 lái” is optional, but if there is no object, you must use “起來来 qǐlái” (as a two-character complement).

Differences – 開开始 kāishǐ and 起來来 qǐlái

開开始 kāishǐ is a more neutral and general way to say that an action begins, and it is often used to describe a deliberate action or personal decision.

他tā開始kāishǐ哭kū了le他tā开始kāishǐ哭kū了le
He started to cry.
(This is neutral and factual.)

我wǒ要yào開始kāishǐ學xué中文zhōngwén我wǒ要yào开始kāishǐ学xué中文zhōngwén ✅
I’m going to start learning Chinese.

V + 起 qǐ emphasizes the transition into a new action or state, and is commonly used for emotional reactions, atmosphere changes, or other noticeable changes.

他tā哭kū起來qǐlái了le他tā哭kū起来qǐlái了le
He burst into tears / He started crying.
(This sounds more vivid and emotional. It focuses on the moment the crying began.)

我wǒ開始kāishǐ學xué起qǐ中文zhōngwén來lái了le我wǒ开始kāishǐ学xué起qǐ中文zhōngwén来lái了le ❌
I’m going to start learning Chinese.
(This is a personal decision.)