挑起

• Pinyin: tiǎo qǐ
• Hanzi breakdown: 挑 = 扌(hand) + 兆 — to provoke; 起 = 走 + 己 — to rise, start

Meaning

To provoke; to stir up; to incite (conflict, trouble).

Usually refers to deliberately causing conflict, arguments, or negative situations. Has negative connotations — the subject is seen as a troublemaker. Common in phrases like 挑起战争 (start a war) and 挑起争端 (provoke a dispute).

Examples

1. 他故意挑起两个部门之间的矛盾，坐收渔翁之利。 He deliberately stirred up conflict between the two departments to profit as the third party.
2. 那个国家频频挑起边境冲突，破坏地区和平。 That country repeatedly provokes border conflicts, undermining regional peace.
3. 别在背后挑起是非，有什么问题当面说清楚。 Don't stir up trouble behind people's backs — if there's a problem, say it to their face.

Usage Guide

Context: conflict, politics, interpersonal

Tone: negative

Do Say

• 挑起矛盾。(Stir up conflict.)
• 挑起争端。(Provoke a dispute.)

Don't Say

• 用'挑起'描述正面的开始 (挑起 has negative connotations — for positive initiations, use 发起 or 开始)

Origin & History

挑 means to pick or provoke, 起 means to arise — to cause something to arise.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal