引起

• Pinyin: yǐn qǐ
• Hanzi breakdown: 引 = 弓 (bow) + 丨, to lead or draw; 起 = 走 (to walk/go) + 己 (self), to rise or start

Meaning

To cause; to arouse; to trigger; to give rise to. To be the reason why something happens or why a feeling or reaction occurs.

Very frequently used in both spoken and written Chinese. Common collocations: 引起注意 (attract attention), 引起兴趣 (arouse interest), 引起争议 (cause controversy), 引起误会 (cause a misunderstanding), 引起重视 (draw serious attention to). The subject is usually a cause and the object is the effect or reaction.

Examples

1. 他的发言引起了在场所有人的强烈反应。 His speech aroused a strong reaction from everyone present.
2. 长期熬夜会引起很多健康方面的问题。 Staying up late for long periods can cause many health-related problems.
3. 这首歌引起了人们对过去美好时光的回忆。 This song brought back people's memories of beautiful times in the past.

Usage Guide

Context: everyday, academic, journalism

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 这件事引起了社会的广泛关注。(This matter attracted widespread public attention.)
• 不当的言论可能引起不必要的误会。(Improper remarks may cause unnecessary misunderstandings.)

Don't Say

• 把'引起'用于表示主动、有意发起某事 (Don't use 引起 when you mean to deliberately start or initiate something — 引起 describes causing an unintended effect or triggering a reaction; use 发起 or 开始 for deliberate, planned initiation)

Origin & History

A compound of 引 (to lead; to draw out) and 起 (to rise; to start). Together they describe drawing out or triggering a reaction or consequence.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal