掀起 xiānqǐ to lift
to lift; to raise (a lid etc); (of a storm) to surge; to stir up (waves etc); (figuratively) to trigger; set off (a wave of popularity, a controversy etc)
How to remember 掀起: 掀 to stir up + 起 rise up = to lift.
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How it is used
- To lift a cover, or set off a surging wave - 掀起被子 (xiānqǐ bèizi) throw off the covers; 掀起热潮 (xiānqǐ rècháo) set off a craze.
- The exam-favorite use is figurative: 掀起 A 的浪潮 trigger a wave of A. Stronger than 引起 (yǐnqǐ, cause) - it implies a big movement surging up.