引起 yǐnqǐ give rise to
give rise to; lead to; to cause; arouse
How to remember 引起: 引 pull + 起 rise up = give rise to.
Characters
How it is used
- To give rise to / trigger, usually of abstract reactions - 引起注意 (yǐnqǐ zhùyì) attract attention, 引起讨论 spark discussion.
- The object is typically a reaction or consequence (interest, controversy, disease), not a physical object.
- Contrast 造成 (zàochéng), which pairs with bad/concrete outcomes (造成损失 cause losses); 引起 is more neutral and often about arousing a response.
Example sentences
- 她引起了我的注意。 Tā yǐnqǐle wǒ de zhùyì.She caught my attention.
- 汤姆只是想引起你的注意。 Tāngmǔ zhǐshì xiǎng yǐnqǐ nǐ de zhùyì.Tom just wants your attention.