兴起

• Pinyin: xīng qǐ
• Hanzi breakdown: 兴 = 同 + 八 (rise/prosper); 起 = 走 + 己 (start/arise)

Meaning

To rise; to emerge; to spring up. To come into being or become prominent, especially of movements, trends, or civilisations.

Used to describe the rise of cultures, industries, social movements, or trends. Often has a historical or sociological flavour. Implies a gradual process of emergence and growth.

Examples

1. 随着互联网的普及，网络文学在中国迅速兴起，吸引了大批读者。 With the widespread adoption of the internet, online literature rose rapidly in China, attracting large numbers of readers.
2. 工业革命推动了近代民族国家的兴起，深刻改变了世界政治格局。 The Industrial Revolution fueled the rise of modern nation-states, profoundly reshaping the world’s political landscape.
3. 共享经济模式的兴起彻底颠覆了传统行业的商业逻辑。 The rise of the sharing economy has completely upended the business logic of traditional industries.

Usage Guide

Context: history, sociology, culture

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 新能源产业正在全球范围内迅速兴起。(The new energy industry is rapidly rising on a global scale.)
• 民间艺术在青年群体中重新兴起，彰显了文化自信。(Folk art is re-emerging among young people, reflecting cultural confidence.)

Don't Say

• 他兴起了一个想法 — use 产生 or 想到 for spontaneous thoughts; 兴起 describes broad social trends or movements, not individual ideas

Origin & History

兴 (rise/prosper) + 起 (start/get up)

Cultural Context

Era: Traditional to Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal