起来 - Abstract Impression

This pattern takes a verb related to your five senses. You then attach 起来 right after that verb. Finally, you add an adjective to describe the feeling. It creates a bridge between what you do and what you think. If you look (看) at a dress, and it is pretty, you say it "looks pretty." If you listen (听) to a story and it's funny, it "sounds funny." It is essentially a way to describe the qualities of an object based on how you perceive it. The object usually comes first in the sentence. You are highlighting the thing you are judging. It’s like pointing a spotlight at a pizza and saying, "This pizza... tastes great!" It’s a very visual way of speaking. It helps people understand exactly why you feel the way you do. Did you decide the cake is good because you saw it? Or because you ate it? 起来 makes that distinction clear.

1. 1Creating these sentences is like building with LEGO blocks. You only need three main pieces. Here is the step-by-step blueprint:
2. 2Start with the Subject: This is the thing you are judging. (e.g., 这个菜 - This dish).
3. 3Add the Sense Verb: Pick how you are perceiving it. (e.g., 吃 - to eat).
4. 4Attach 起来: This turns the verb into an "impression" maker.
5. 5Add an Adjective: This is your opinion. (e.g., 很好吃 - very delicious).
6. 6Structure: [Subject] + [Verb] + 起来 + [Adjective].
7. 7Example: 这首歌听起来很舒服 (This song sounds very comfortable/relaxing).
8. 8Yes, it’s that simple! Don't worry about complex conjugation. In Chinese, verbs stay the same. Just stick 起来 on the end of the action and let the adjective do the heavy lifting. Even if you forget the rest of the sentence, 看起来... or 听起来... is a great way to start expressing yourself. It’s like a grammar safety net.

You will use this pattern whenever you want to give a first impression. It’s perfect for the "Three S's": Shopping, Socializing, and Suppertime.

• Shopping: "This shirt looks expensive" (这件衬衫看起来很贵). "This phone feels heavy" (这个手机摸起来很重). Use it to justify why you aren't buying that $500 t-shirt.
• Socializing: "Your idea sounds great!" (你的主意听起来很好!). This is a polite way to agree with friends. Or use it for people: "He looks very kind" (他看起来很友善).
• Suppertime: "This smells amazing" (闻起来真香). Even if you're a terrible cook, you can still use it to compliment the chef.
• Tasks: You can also use it for actions. "Chinese is hard to learn" (汉语学起来很难). This describes the experience of the action itself. It's a great way to complain about your homework in a grammatically correct way!

Don't use 起来 for cold, hard facts. If a car is red, don't say it "looks red" unless you are in a dark room and aren't sure. Just say 车是红色的. 起来 implies a level of personal judgment or a feeling based on perception. Also, don't use it for deep emotional states. You wouldn't say "I look sad" to yourself in the mirror using 起来 usually; you just *are* sad. Avoid using it when the verb isn't a perception. You can't "run起来" to mean "it runs like it's fast." That would mean "start running," which is a different grammar rule entirely! Keep it to the senses: seeing, hearing, tasting, touching, and smelling. If you try to use it with "sleeping," people will just look at you confused. It’s a sensory tool, not a general-purpose glue.

The biggest mistake is forgetting the adjective. You can't just say 这个菜吃起来. It’s like saying "This food eats like..." and then walking away. Your listener is left hanging! You must complete the thought. Another common slip-up is putting the object in the wrong place. Don't say 看起来这个电影很有意思. While people might understand you, it’s much better to say 这个电影看起来很有意思. Think of the object as the king of the sentence—he goes first. Beginners also sometimes mix up 看起来 with 觉得. Remember: 看起来 is about your eyes. 觉得 is about your brain. If you say someone "looks smart," use 起来. If you just "think" they are smart because they won a math prize, use 觉得. Don't worry, even people who have lived in China for years occasionally swap these. Just keep practicing and you'll get the "vibe" right.

You might know 觉得 (to feel/think). How is it different? 觉得 is a general opinion. You can 觉得 something is right or wrong without seeing it. 起来 is tied to a specific sense. If I say 我觉得他很好, I just think he's a good guy. If I say 他看起来很好, I am specifically talking about his physical appearance today. Then there is 好像 (seems like). 好像 is more about probability or guessing. 起来 is more about the immediate physical sensation. Think of 觉得 as your heart, 好像 as your brain guessing, and 起来 as your eyes and ears. Another similar one is the "start doing" version of 起来 (e.g., 笑起来 - start laughing). The difference is easy: if there is an adjective at the end, it’s an impression. If there is no adjective and it’s about an action starting, it’s the directional version.