起伏

• Pinyin: qǐ fú
• Hanzi breakdown: 起 = 走 + 己 (rise); 伏 = 亻(person) + 犬 (dog) (crouch/fall — person bowing low)

Meaning

To rise and fall; to undulate; to fluctuate. Repeated alternation between high and low states.

Used for terrain (undulating hills), emotions (emotional ups and downs), and data (market fluctuations). Common literary image. Key collocations: 跌宕起伏 (dramatic rises and falls), 情绪起伏 (emotional fluctuation), 波澜起伏 (surging undulation).

Examples

1. 连绵不断的丘陵地带起伏蜿蜒，在夕阳的余晖下显得格外壮美苍茫。 The rolling hills stretched on without end, winding into the distance and looking especially majestic and vast in the glow of the setting sun.
2. 这部小说情节跌宕起伏，悬念迭出，令读者手不释卷，欲罢不能。 The plot of this novel rises and falls dramatically, with one suspenseful twist after another, so readers can’t put it down.
3. 受多重因素影响，该股票价格持续起伏，令投资者难以判断走势方向。 Affected by multiple factors, the stock price kept fluctuating, making it hard for investors to judge the direction of the trend.

Usage Guide

Context: literature, nature, finance

Tone: descriptive

Do Say

• 人生本就充满起伏，关键在于如何在低谷中积蓄重新出发的勇气与力量。(Life is inherently full of ups and downs; the key lies in how to gather courage and strength for a fresh start during the low points.)
• 这首交响乐旋律起伏跌宕，将听众带入了深邃而震撼的情感世界。(The melody of this symphony rises and falls dramatically, drawing listeners into a profound and stirring emotional world.)

Don't Say

• 他起伏地说话 — rephrase naturally: 他说话抑扬顿挫 for the natural cadence and rhythm of speech

Origin & History

起 (rise) + 伏 (fall/crouch) — to alternately rise and fall

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal