起到

• Pinyin: qǐ dào
• Hanzi breakdown: 起 = 走 (walk) + 己 (self), to rise; 到 = 至 + 刂, to arrive/achieve

Meaning

To play (a role); to achieve (an effect). Used to indicate that something has a particular function or produces a certain result.

Almost always followed by a noun describing an effect or role: 起到作用 (play a role), 起到效果 (achieve an effect), 起到关键作用 (play a key role). Cannot stand alone as a complete verb phrase.

Examples

1. 这种药能起到缓解疼痛的作用。 This medicine can play a role in relieving pain.
2. 沟通在团队合作中起到关键作用。 Communication plays a key role in teamwork.
3. 广告没有起到预期的效果。 The advertisement did not achieve the expected effect.

Usage Guide

Context: analysis, evaluation, professional

Tone: analytical

Do Say

• 你的建议起到了很大的帮助。(Your suggestion was very helpful.)
• 教育在社会发展中起到重要作用。(Education plays an important role in social development.)

Don't Say

• 这个起到了。(起到 must be followed by a noun like 作用/效果 — incomplete without object)

Origin & History

起 (qǐ, to rise/produce) + 到 (dào, to reach/achieve). To produce and achieve a result.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal