起来
Pattern
Verb + 起来 + adjective / judgment
Key words
Core idea
After perception or evaluation verbs, 起来 can introduce how something seems when you experience it. It often appears with verbs such as looking, listening, eating, drinking, or using.
This is not the physical meaning “stand up.” It is a complement that frames an impression.
What learners often miss
The judgment comes after the 起来 phrase. First say the way you experience the thing, then say the impression.
Examples
这道菜吃起来很辣。
Zhè dào cài chī qǐlai hěn là.
This dish tastes very spicy.
这首歌听起来很轻松。
Zhè shǒu gē tīng qǐlai hěn qīngsōng.
This song sounds very relaxed.
这件衣服看起来很贵。
Zhè jiàn yīfu kàn qǐlai hěn guì.
This item of clothing looks expensive.
Common mistakes
Avoid
这道菜起来吃很辣。
Use
这道菜吃起来很辣。
For this assessment meaning, 起来 follows the perception verb.
Seen in stories
The Group Chat Apology
他不是故意出错，而是那天系统刚升级，很多号码看起来差不多。
He had not made the mistake on purpose; the system had just been upgraded that day, and many numbers looked almost the same.
The Group Chat Apology
照片里，猫坐在快递柜上，看起来比所有人都严肃。
In the photo, the cat sat on the delivery locker and looked more serious than everyone else.