起到 qǐdào to have (a (motivating etc) effect)
(in an expression of the form 起到 + … + 作用) to have (a (motivating etc) effect); to play (a (stabilizing etc) role)
How to remember 起到: 起 rise up + 到 arrive = to have (a (motivating etc) effect).
Characters
How it is used
- Almost never stands alone - locked into the pattern 起到...作用 (qǐdào...zuòyòng), 'to have/play a role or effect.'
- 起到重要作用 (play an important role), 起到推动作用 (have a driving effect).
- Formal, written register - reports, essays, news analysis, not casual chat.
- Does not mean 'to start' despite 起 alone suggesting that - the whole phrase is about causing an effect.
Example sentences
- 他的忠告没起到太大的作用。 Tā de zhōnggào méi qǐdào tàidà de zuòyòng.His advice didn't help much.