起来 vs 下来 (qǐlái vs xiàlái): onset vs subsiding
起来 indicates the beginning or intensification of a state (e.g., 热起来 'become hot'), while 下来 marks a calming, settling, or fixing of a state (e.g., 静下来 'quiet down'). Choose 起来 for an upward/starting trajectory and 下来 for a downward/settling one.
Both 起来 and 下来 are directional complements that can be used metaphorically to describe changes of state. 起来 (qǐlái) indicates a change that begins or intensifies, often implying an upward or increasing trajectory (e.g., temperature rising, emotions becoming active). 下来 (xiàlái) indicates a change that subsides, settles, or becomes fixed, implying a downward or calming trajectory (e.g., noise decreasing, emotions calming). The choice depends on the direction of the change relative to a baseline. They are grammaticalized aspect markers, not literal directionals.
When to use each
Use 起来 to express that a state or action is starting or intensifying. It often pairs with adjectives (e.g., 热起来 'get hot', 忙起来 'get busy') and verbs of emotion or activity (e.g., 笑起来 'start laughing'). It implies an upward or increasing trend.
起来 can also be used with perception verbs like 看起来 'look like' or 听起来 'sound like', but those are different (modal/evidential uses). In the aspectual sense, it marks inception or progressive intensification.
Use 下来 to express that a state is subsiding, calming down, or becoming fixed. It pairs with adjectives like 静下来 'quiet down', 慢下来 'slow down', and verbs like 记下来 'write down (fix in memory)'. It implies a downward trajectory from a higher or active state to a lower or settled one.
下来 also has a literal directional meaning 'come down'. In the aspectual sense, it contrasts with 起来 by indicating a change toward stability or reduction, not necessarily negative (e.g., 冷静下来 'calm down' is positive).
At a glance
| 起来 | 下来 | |
|---|---|---|
| Direction of change | Beginning / intensifying (upward) | Subsiding / settling (downward) |
| Commonly used with | Adjectives like 热, 忙, 好; verbs like 笑, 做 | Adjectives like 静, 慢, 冷; verbs like 记, 停 |
| Emotional states | 激动起来 (become excited) | 冷静下来 (calm down) |
| Physical states | 热起来 (get hot) | 冷下来 (get cold) – but 冷下来 is less common; usually 冷起来 or 变冷 |
| Literal vs metaphorical | Literal: 站起来 (stand up); Metaphorical: 紧张起来 (get nervous) | Literal: 坐下来 (sit down); Metaphorical: 静下来 (quiet down) |
Examples
- 起来天气慢慢热起来了。Tiānqì mànmàn rè qǐlái le.The weather is gradually getting hot.Intensifying change – temperature is rising.
- 下来请大家安静下来。Qǐng dàjiā ānjìng xiàlái.Everyone, please quiet down.Subsiding change – noise is decreasing.
- 起来他激动起来就说不清话。Tā jīdòng qǐlái jiù shuō bù qīng huà.When he gets excited, he can't speak clearly.Onset of emotion leading to a state.
- 下来别担心，慢慢冷静下来。Bié dānxīn, mànmàn lěngjìng xiàlái.Don't worry, calm down slowly.Return to a calm state after excitement.
- 下来这个问题我们记下来吧。Zhège wèntí wǒmen jì xiàlái ba.Let's write down this problem.Fixing/settling – make a record.
- 起来她说着说着就哭起来了。Tā shuō zhe shuō zhe jiù kū qǐlái le.As she was talking, she started crying.Inception of an action (crying).
Common mistakes
- Using 下来 for 'getting hot' (热下来) – incorrect; use 热起来.
- Using 起来 for 'calming down' (冷静起来) – incorrect; use 冷静下来.
- Confusing 起来 with 上来 in aspectual uses; 起来 is for beginning/intensifying, 上来 is not used this way.
- Using 下来 with 笑 (笑起来) – 'start laughing' uses 起来, not 下来.
FAQ
- When do I use 起来 vs 下来 for changes in state?
- Use 起来 for changes that start or intensify (e.g., 热起来 'get hot', 忙起来 'get busy'), and 下来 for changes that subside or settle (e.g., 静下来 'quiet down', 冷静下来 'calm down'). Think of 起来 as 'going up' and 下来 as 'coming down' in a metaphorical sense.
- Can 下来 ever indicate a positive change?
- Yes. 下来 indicates settling or stabilizing, which can be positive, e.g., 冷静下来 'calm down' helps clarity, 慢下来 'slow down' can reduce stress. The direction is neutral; it's the context that assigns value.
- Are 起来 and 下来 always opposites?
- In the aspectual sense ('begin/intensify' vs 'subside/settle'), they are broadly opposite trajectories. However, both can be used with some verbs in different contexts. For example, 停下来 means 'stop (moving)', which is a kind of settling, and 做起来 means 'start doing' – opposite in terms of initiation vs cessation.
- What about 冷下来 vs 冷起来?
- 冷起来 (get cold) is common; 冷下来 is rarer but can be used to mean 'cool down' (e.g., after something hot). For temperature, 起来 is more typical for 'becoming cold', while 下来 is used for 'cooling down' from hot to cold. Check context: 天气冷起来了 'it's getting cold' vs 水冷下来了 'the water has cooled down'.