激起

jīqǐ

to arouse

HSK 7

Character Breakdown

Meaning and Usage

The verb 激起 (jīqǐ) means to arouse or to incite emotions, reactions, or actions. It often refers to stirring up feelings such as enthusiasm, anger, or motivation in people.

Common Contexts

It is frequently used in contexts involving emotional or social reactions, such as 激起共鸣 (arouse resonance), 激起讨论 (spark discussion), or 激起斗志 (arouse fighting spirit).

Collocations

  • 激起情绪: to arouse emotions, used when describing emotional responses.
  • 激起兴趣: to arouse interest, common in educational or promotional contexts.
  • 激起反应: to provoke a reaction, often in social or political discussions.

Usage Notes

激起 is more formal and literary compared to similar verbs like 引起 or 激发. It emphasizes a strong or intense arousal of feelings or actions. Avoid confusing it with (to rise) alone, as 激起 specifically implies an active stirring or incitement.

Summary

Use 激起 when you want to express that something has strongly stirred emotions or reactions in people, especially in formal or written Chinese.

Example Sentences

这部电影激起了观众的强烈共鸣。

Zhè bù diànyǐng jīqǐle guānzhòng de qiángliè gòngmíng.

This movie aroused strong resonance among the audience.

他的言论激起了社会的广泛讨论。

Tā de yánlùn jīqǐle shèhuì de guǎngfàn tǎolùn.

His remarks sparked widespread discussion in society.

这场比赛激起了运动员们的斗志。

Zhè chǎng bǐsài jīqǐle yùndòngyuánmen de dòuzhì.

This match aroused the athletes' fighting spirit.