Figurative 起来: starting, seeming, recalling
补语 / complements
Tone colorsā tone 1á tone 2ǎ tone 3à tone 4a neutral
Beyond "stand up" (站起来), 起来 has three key figurative uses:
1. Start of an action or state that continues: 他笑起来了 (he burst out laughing), 天气热起来了 (it's getting hot).
2. Impression / evaluation: V + 起来 + adj = "when you do it, it seems…": 这个手机用起来很方便 (this phone is handy to use). 看起来 = to look (like).
3. Recalling / gathering: 想起来 (remember), 收起来 (put away).
With an object, it goes between 起 and 来: 他唱起歌来了。
Examples
这个软件用起来很简单。
Zhège ruǎnjiàn yòng qilai hěn jiǎndān.This app is very easy to use.
我想起来了，密码是我的生日！
Wǒ xiǎng qilai le, mìmǎ shì wǒ de shēngrì!I remember now: the password is my birthday!
听到这个消息，大家都笑起来了。
Tīngdào zhège xiāoxi, dàjiā dōu xiào qilai le.When they heard the news, everyone burst out laughing.
你看起来有点儿累。
Nǐ kàn qilai yǒudiǎnr lèi.You look a bit tired.
Common mistakes
✗ 他唱起来歌了。 → the object goes between 起 and 来. ✓ 他唱起歌来了。
想起来 vs 想出来: 想起来 = recall something you knew; 想出来 = come up with a new idea.