挑起 (tiǎo qǐ) — to provoke, to stir up (conflict, trouble, etc.) | TongTong Chinese Dictionary

Definition

挑起 means to deliberately provoke or stir up trouble (a conflict, dispute, hostility). It is a separable verb — insert the object between 挑 and 起, as in 挑起争端. The action is intentional and blameworthy, stronger than neutral words like 引发.

verb

to provoketo stir up (conflict, trouble, etc.)

Examples

挑起，。
Tā gù yì tiǎo qǐ zhēng duān, ràng shuāng fāng guān xì è huà.
He deliberately stirred up a dispute, worsening the relationship between the two sides.
挑起。
Zhè zhǒng yán lùn hěn róng yì tiǎo qǐ qún zhòng de bù mǎn qíng xù.
This kind of rhetoric easily provokes public discontent.
挑起，？
Bié qù tiǎo qǐ máo dùn, dà jiā hé hé qì qì bù hǎo ma?
Don't stir up conflicts — isn't it better if everyone stays friendly?

Origin

Compound word

构词法gòucífǎ

补充bǔchōngVerb + complement

An action followed by its result or direction.

挑tiāoprovoke

挑 provoke plus 起 up gives stirring up or instigating.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú

手手shǒuhand

Sound part声符shēngfú

兆

兆zhào挑tiāo

The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

挑 has 手, meaning hand, and 兆, which gives the sound.

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

走巳起

Meaning part形符xíngfú

Sound part声符shēngfú

巳

巳sì起qǐ

Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

起 is made from 走 and 巳: 走 is the part connected with walking or running, and 巳 gives the sound.

Appears in

Conflict & Agreement

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