hei2 loi4起來起来
Definition
To wake up and get out of bed; or used after a verb to indicate the start of an action or state.
- to wake up; to get out of bed
- placed after a verb to indicate the beginning of an action or a change in state
How it's used
When used as a directional complement, it often takes the form 起嚟 in Cantonese to denote the initiation of an action. It frequently appears in contexts where a sudden change in state occurs, such as weather or emotional reactions. Note that for the specific meaning of waking up from sleep, the compound 起身 is standard, while 起來 is more commonly reserved for the grammatical function of starting an action.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often confuse the literal meaning of standing up with the aspectual use of starting an action. Remember that 起身 is the preferred term for physically getting out of bed or standing up, whereas 起來 is primarily used as a suffix to indicate the onset of an event.
Grammar color guide
Grammar guides
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
