Usage and Nuances
The verb 掀起 (xiān qǐ) primarily means "to lift" or "to raise," often used with physical objects like lids or covers. For example, 掀起盖子 means "to lift the lid." Beyond the literal sense, 掀起 is frequently used metaphorically to describe the initiation or stirring up of events, emotions, or movements, such as 掀起讨论 (to stir up discussion) or 掀起运动 (to launch a campaign).
Common Collocations
- 掀起盖子: to lift a lid, literal physical action.
- 掀起波澜: to stir up waves, figuratively causing disturbance or excitement.
- 掀起热潮: to trigger a craze or wave of enthusiasm.
Register and Tone
掀起 is neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. When used metaphorically, it often appears in news reports, speeches, or written language to describe the start or escalation of social phenomena or emotional reactions.
Common Confusion
Do not confuse 掀起 with 举起 (jǔ qǐ), which also means "to lift" but is more general and often used for lifting objects with hands. 掀起 often implies lifting something by flipping or stirring up, and it carries a stronger sense of initiating or causing something to happen.